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250 Words15 Marks
Q.The newly tri-nation partnership AUKUS is aimed at countering China’s ambitions in the Indo-Pacific region. Is it going to supersede the existing partnerships in the region? Discuss the strength and impact of AUKUS in the present scenario.
UPSC Mains 2021•International Relations
Model Answer
View this Question In PYQ RealmIntroduction
Announced in 2021, the AUKUS partnership (comprising Australia, the UK, and the US) is a trilateral security pact designed to counter China's growing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific. Its primary focus is equipping Australia with conventional-armed, nuclear-powered submarines and fostering deep technological collaboration.
Body
Strengths and Strategic Focus of AUKUS
- Military Capabilities: Significantly enhances Australia's maritime deterrence and naval reach in the Indo-Pacific.
- Advanced Tech Sharing: Focuses on cutting-edge sectors like AI, quantum computing, hypersonics, and cyber warfare.
- Geostrategic Intent: Signals the Anglosphere's commitment to upholding a rules-based maritime order and freedom of navigation.
Comparison with Existing Frameworks
- QUAD: A broader diplomatic forum focused on maritime security, climate, and supply chains; unlike AUKUS, it lacks a formal military alliance structure.
- ASEAN: Prefers inclusive, non-aligned multilateralism and remains wary of regional militarization.
- Five Eyes: An intelligence-sharing alliance; AUKUS extends this trust into hard military and technological co-development.
Will AUKUS Supersede Existing Partnerships?
- Complementary, Not Replacement: It serves a highly specialized, defense-centric purpose that complements broader diplomatic forums like the QUAD.
- Exclusionary Nature: Its narrow, high-security membership limits its ability to replace broad-based regional platforms.
- Geopolitical Impact: Reshapes the regional balance of power, drawing strong condemnation from China and causing temporary diplomatic friction with France. India has welcomed it as a complementary pillar of Indo-Pacific security.
Conclusion
AUKUS represents a potent, defense-focused security pillar in the Indo-Pacific. Rather than superseding existing frameworks, it operates alongside them, adding a hard-power dimension to the region's security architecture.
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