Melbourne/New Delhi, Feb 12 : India and Australia on Saturday acknowledged the importance of the security and resilience of telecommunications networks, and on the need to work closely with each other to protect next generation telecom networks, including 5G and 6G, in an oblique reference to security concerns over China-made equipment for high-speed data networks.
The two sides, led by Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne and Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, reiterated their commitment to secure, resilient and trusted technology and they agreed to work together to address the significant threat of malicious cyber activity by state and non-state actors. The two ministers held the Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue and the inaugural India-Australia Foreign Ministers’ Cyber Framework Dialogue in Melbourne today. In a joint statement, the two stressed on the integral role of cyber and cyber-enabled critical technologies in fostering sustainable development and inclusive economic growth.
They recognised the importance of diverse and trusted technology supply chains including trusted sources and products, in another oblique reference to the wide security concerns that have been voiced over Chinese 5G equipment. They also recognized the importance of working collaboratively with international partners, and agreed to undertake joint engagement with Indo-Pacific partners to collaboratively improve the region’s cyber capabilities to promote a resilient and trusted cyberspace and effective incident response.
The meeting today comes as China is reported to hold 35% of all 6G patents worldwide. 6G is the next, next generation telecommunications technology, which can be 100 times faster than 5G and enable a seamless connection between cellular and satellite networks. According to a report, there are over 38,000 patents globally related to 6G technologies, with 13,449 6G patents, or 35% of the global total, Chinese institutions and companies that have filed the most patent applications than any other country. The United States comes in second place with 18%.
The US has sanctioned Chinese telecommunication firm Huawei, which has since been banned from participating in 5G trials in various countries. The telecom giant has been accused of having links with the Chinese military. During the Cyber Framework Dialogue the two ministers recognised cooperation in the areas of cyber governance, cyber security, capacity building, innovation, digital economy, and cyber and critical technologies as an essential pillar of the India-Australia relationship. They also agreed that the Centre of Excellence for Critical and Emerging Technology Policy, to be located in Bengaluru India, demonstrates the long-term commitment of both countries to bilateral cooperation in cyber and critical technologies. EAM Jaishankar welcomed the Australian Government’s intention to open a Consulate-General in Bengaluru. The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to an open, secure, free, accessible, stable, peaceful, and interoperable cyberspace and technologies that adhere to international law. They emphasised the way in which technology is designed, developed, governed and used should be informed by our shared democratic values and respect for human rights. They condemned attempts to use cyberspace and cyber-enabled technologies to undermine international peace and stability and committed to working cooperatively to strengthen mutual cooperation in various multilateral fora, including the United Nations, in developing international standards, norms and frameworks for cyberspace and critical and emerging technologies. Both Ministers reiterated the importance of diversity, gender equality and women’s empowerment in the design, development and use of cyberspace and technologies. At a presser, EAM Jaishankar said the Cyber Framework Dialogue was particularly useful in reviewing their joint activities under the Framework Agreement. “We discussed some of our shared challenges and opportunities for closer collaboration in this very important domain.” He said the Cyber Framework Dialogue is a direct outcome of the virtual Summit between the two Prime Ministers held in June last year when the two sides elevated ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. He said the two ministers also shared concerns about terrorism and extremism. “We have serious concerns about continuing cross-border terrorism and it’s our shared endeavour to deepen counter-terrorism cooperation, including in the multilateral fora.
