What’s in the news?

• Australia, the U.K. and the U.S. (AUKUS) have announced they’re forming a new security alliance that will help equip Australia with nuclear-powered submarines. 
• The historic security alliance is aimed at securing the Indo-Pacific and developing capabilities that can contribute along with India and other countries to deter behaviour that threatens peace and security in the region. 
• The partnership, seen as an effort to counter China in the Indo-Pacific, will allow the US and UK to provide Australia with the technology to develop nuclear-powered submarines for the first time. 
• The development of Australia’s nuclear-powered submarines would be a joint endeavour by the three nations, with a focus on interoperability, commonality, and mutual benefit. Australia said that strengthening its defence capabilities through nuclear-powered submarines will form part of the country’s contribution to a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
• The AUKUS partnership is also aimed at facilitating sharing of various other critical technologies among the partner countries. It said the three countries will promote deeper information and technology sharing and will significantly deepen cooperation on a range of security and defence capabilities.

Criticisms

• France criticised its exclusion from the alliance, saying it reflects a lack of coherence when common challenges are being faced in the Indo-Pacific region.
• In its reaction, China criticised the security alliance saying it will gravely undermine regional stability and aggravate the arms race.

Reference:

1. https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/news-analysis-aukus-seeks-to-reshape-indo-pacific-ties/article36505375.ece