This week in Australian foreign affairs: Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, strengthening ties with India, Australian Embassy in Ukraine moves to temporary office in Lviv, High Commission to open in Maldives, and more.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne hosted her counterparts from India, Japan and the United States for the fourth Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on 11 February. The Ministers released a joint statement where they noted that the meeting “reaffirm[ed] the Quad’s commitment to supporting Indo-Pacific countries’ efforts to advance a free and open Indo-Pacific – a region which is inclusive and resilient, and in which states strive to protect the interests of their people, free from coercion.” The statement further noted the Quad’s “unwavering” support for “ASEAN unity and centrality”, the importance of supporting the region’s COVID-19 response, and strengthening humanitarian assistance and disaster response in the region. The Ministers “recognise[d] that international law, peace and security in the maritime domain underpins the development and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific” and noted that they “champion the free, open and inclusive rules-based order, rooted in international law, that protects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of regional countries.” Finally, they noted their continuing “grave concern about the crisis in Myanmar” and condemned North Korea’s “destabilising missile launches in violation of UN Security Council resolutions.”

Prime Minister Scott Morrison remarked on his own meeting with the Quad Foreign Ministers on 11 February. He stated that “we live in a very fragile, fragmented and contested world, and that is no more accentuated than here in our Indo-Pacific.” Morrison noted that he was “reassured” by seeing “like-minded partners” gathered together as part of the Quad. He noted the Quad partners’ “deep passion for ASEAN” and that they “share a vision for a strong economy, not just regional stability and security.”

On 14 February, Payne, alongside Minister for Trade Dan Tehan, Minister for Employment Stuart Robert, Minister for Communication Paul Fletcher, and Minister for Immigration Alex Hawke, announced a series of three initiatives to strengthen ties with India. The initiatives consist of the $11.2 million Maitri Scholarships Program to “attract and support high achieving Indian students to study at Australian universities”, the $3.5 million Maitri Grants and Fellowships Program to “build links between our future leaders” by “supporting mid-career Australian and Indian professionals to collaborate on strategic research and shared priorities”, and the $6.1 million Australia-India Maitri Cultural Partnership to “boost the role of creative industries in our economic and people-to-people ties.”

Payne also hosted the Inaugural India-Australia Foreign Ministers’ Cyber Framework Dialogue with her Indian counterpart, Dr S. Jaishankar, on 12 February. The Ministers welcomed the “elevation of the bilateral cyber cooperation” through 2020’s Australia-India Framework Arrangement on Cyber and Cyber-Enabled Critical Technology Cooperation. They recognised their cooperation “in the areas of cyber governance, cyber security, capacity building, innovation, digital economy, and cyber and critical technologies” as being “an essential pillar” of the bilateral relationship. The Ministers further reaffirmed their commitment “to an open, secure, free, accessible, stable and interoperable cyberspace and technologies that adhere to international law.” They agreed to work collaboratively with Indo-Pacific partners to enhance the region’s cyber capabilities “to promote a resilient and trusted cyberspace and effective incident response.”

On 13 February, Payne issued a media release on the “deterioriating security situation caused by the build up of Russian troops on Ukraine’s border.” Due to this situation, Payne noted that the Australian Government had “directed the departure of staff” and “temporarily suspended operations” at the Australian Embassy in Kyiv. The Embassy’s operations will be moved to a “temporary office” in Lviv. Payne also stated that the Australian Government is “continu[ing] to advise Australians to leave Ukraine immediately by commercial means”, as “security conditions could change at short time.” She noted that “Australia continues to support Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

Payne announced on 11 February that Australia will open a High Commission in Malé, Maldives, “to strengthen engagement with an important Indian Ocean neighbour.” The High Commission “will support the commitment of both countries to democratic institutions and enhanced cooperation with multilateral, Commonwealth and regional organisations.” It will also “promote enhanced cooperation on maritime security, combatting transnational crime and collaboration on climate change and the blue economy.”

On 10 February, Payne met with her counterpart from Timor-Leste, Adaljiza Magno, in Canberra. The Ministers signed the first bilateral Memorandum of Understanding under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme. The PALM scheme combines the Pacific Labour Scheme and Seasonal Workers Programme to address workforce shortages in Australia. Payne noted that Australia will provide $6 million over four years to strengthen Timor-Leste’s engagement in multilateral forums, particularly ASEAN and the WTO, including “through building Timor-Leste’s capacity to enter into regional trade agreements.”

Alongside Minister for Defence Peter Dutton and Minister for International Development and the Pacific Zed Seselja, Payne announced the deployment of two Royal Australian Air Force aircraft to support Solomon Islands’ COVID-19 response on 14 February. The aircraft delivered personal protective equipment for health workers, emergency food aid, and medical equipment including oxygen and medication. The deployment “complements Australia’s support efforts to date, which include the provision of 300,800 AstraZeneca vaccine doses, and 19 tonnes of emergency medical supplies – including 100 oxygen concentrators.”

On 11 February, Payne, alongside Minister for Trade Dan Tehan and Minister for Resources and Water Keith Pitt, issued a joint media release which noted that Australia will provide $36.5 million over five years to invest in maritime and disaster preparedness in the North East Indian Ocean. The investment will be split across projects including “improv[ing] regional cooperation on maritime shipping, disaster resilience and information sharing”, “increas[ing] engagement on regional economic challenges and explor[ing] new opportunities in the digital sector in Bangladesh”, “promot[ing] infrastructure investment opportunities in the region”.

Payne announced on 14 February that the Australian Government will make a further $375 million investment over five years, as part of the second phase of the Health Security Initiative for the Indo-Pacific Region. The Initiative “provide[s] critical support to partner countries in infection prevention and control, upskilling the health workforce, and strengthening laboratory and surveillance systems.” Payne noted that Australia “look[s] forward to consulting with regional, Quad and Australian partners on mutual priorities and opportunities for collaboration in the next phase.”

On 12 February, Tehan renewed the Australia-India Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Tourism Cooperation while visiting his Indian counterpart, Piyush Goyal, in New Delhi, to progress negotiations towards an India-Australia Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement. The MoU “will help encourage more Indian visitors to Australia and enhance the capabilities of Australian tourism businesses.” Tehan noted that “Australia is working with India to strengthen our ties in many areas, and it’s timely to include tourism as Australia reopens its international borders to the world.”

Isabella Keith is a weekly columnist for Australian Outlook. She is also an undergraduate student at the Australian National University studying Law and Politics, Philosophy and Economics. Isabella’s research interests include international law and comparative constitutional law.

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