In a significant show of unity, Australia, Japan, and the United States have reaffirmed their commitment to supporting India’s maritime surveillance efforts in the Indo-Pacific region. The pledge was made during the fourteenth Trilateral Defence Ministers’ Meeting (TDMM) held in Darwin, Australia, attended by Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles, Japanese Defence Minister Nakatani Gen, and US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin III.
The joint statement emphasized that beginning in 2025, the trilateral partners will work closely with India to enhance maritime domain awareness across the Indo-Pacific, recognizing India’s leadership in fostering regional cooperation on maritime surveillance.
The trilateral ministers also acknowledged the success of a recent collaboration involving maritime patrol aircraft alongside India during Exercise KAKADU in September 2024. This exercise highlights the deepening coordination between these nations, which share a common goal of promoting stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region.
The meeting further underscored initiatives from the Quad nations — the US, Japan, India, and Australia — to strengthen maritime security through the Maritime Initiative for Training in the Indo-Pacific (MAITRI), aimed at improving monitoring, law enforcement, and deterrence of illegal activities in the region. The Quad also launched new projects, including the Quad Cancer Moonshot for combating cervical cancer and the Quad Ports of the Future Partnership to develop sustainable port infrastructure in the Indo-Pacific.
The Quad’s stance against coercive actions in the South China Sea was reiterated, advocating adherence to international laws like the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to protect the rules-based maritime order. The statement reinforced the commitment to upholding an open, stable international system rooted in democratic values, human rights, and respect for sovereignty.
Additionally, the trilateral statement expressed strong support for ASEAN centrality and unity, welcoming the upcoming ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Lao PDR. The ministers pledged ongoing collaboration with partners such as Canada, France, Germany, New Zealand, South Korea, and the UK to address Southeast Asian security challenges and enhance regional stability.
