SynopsisThe impending visit of Prime Minister Modi to Australia signals a pivotal moment for the future of the Indo-Pacific. India, Australia, and Japan are intensifying their cooperative efforts aimed at ensuring a free and open region. Key discussions will center on defense arrangements and critical minerals, with vital issues such as climate change and energy transition firmly on the agenda.As Narendra Modi arrives in Australia tomorrow for the summit with Anthony Albanese, the future of the Indo-Pacific will top the agenda. The US' ambivalence towards the Quad has not deterred the other members - India, Australia and Japan. Instead, they are forging a complementary partnership committed to preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific. The message is unmistakable: even as the Trump administration appears inclined to accommodate China and downplay the Indo-Pacific, the other three partners remain committed to the region's strategic future.India is taking the initiative to knit this partnership together. The PM's tour of Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand follows Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi's visit to New Delhi last week, when the two countries renewed their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, and Modi's recent visits to the western Indian Ocean island nations of Seychelles and Mauritius. This emerging network of like-minded countries is not yet a formal arrangement, but it is gathering momentum. Talks in Indonesia will cover a possible deal for the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system and cooperation on critical minerals, while uranium supplies and energy security will feature prominently in Canberra.India should also place climate change and energy transition on the agenda, particularly as Australia, alongside Turkiye, prepares to lead this year's UN climate negotiations. More importantly, Indo-Pacific countries must diversify their access to clean technologies and critical minerals, sectors where China enjoys a near-monopoly. A free and open Indo-Pacific is about more than maritime security and countering militarisation; it also means securing the region's development, economic resilience and long-term prosperity. ...moreElevate your knowledge and leadership skills at a cost cheaper than your daily tea.Subscribe Now