Jakarta. Indonesia and Australia on Friday signed a new bilateral security treaty committing both countries to consult — and potentially act together — if either faces threats to national or regional stability, in a move that deepens strategic ties between the two Indo-Pacific neighbors.

The agreement was signed in Jakarta during Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s official visit, following talks with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto at Merdeka Palace.

“No country is more important to Australia or to the prosperity, security, and stability of the Indo-Pacific than Indonesia,” Albanese said after the signing.

“Australia and Indonesia share one of the world’s longest maritime boundaries, which naturally makes us close partners. But today, we are more than just partners. We are close friends.”

Under the treaty, the two governments agreed to hold regular security consultations at both the leader and ministerial levels. The accord states that Indonesia and Australia will consult each other in the event of “adverse challenges to either party or to their common security interests” and, where appropriate, consider responses “either individually or jointly.”

The agreement does not specify what would constitute such adverse challenges, but it also commits both sides to expand “mutually beneficial cooperative activities” in the security field.

Albanese also announced new initiatives aimed at strengthening defense cooperation, including embedding a senior Indonesian official within the Australian Defence Force, supporting the development of joint training facilities, and expanding military education exchanges.

Prabowo, a former defense minister, said the treaty reflects Jakarta’s long-standing “good neighborhood policy,” which he described as central to Indonesia’s foreign relations.

“Indonesia and Australia are destined to live side by side. We choose to build that relationship based on mutual trust and good intentions,” Prabowo said.

“Indonesia seeks to befriend everyone. We don’t want to have any enemies. We believe this accord will be a key pillar for the stability and security of our region.”

Building on Decades of Cooperation
The new treaty draws heavily on the landmark 1995 security agreement signed under Indonesia’s then-president Suharto and Australia’s former prime minister Paul Keating, which laid the foundation for closer strategic ties between the two countries.

Since then, the neighbors — both members of the G20 — have concluded a series of defense and security arrangements, most recently a 2024 defense cooperation agreement signed by Prabowo during his tenure as Indonesia’s defense minister.

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