Indonesia and Australia to Expand Security Cooperation with Japan and Papua New Guinea

Indonesia and Australia are expanding their security cooperation to include Japan and Papua New Guinea. This will involve developing trilateral security arrangements and a potential defense training facility on Morotai Island. Additionally, Indonesia is prepared to deploy troops for an international security force in Gaza, pending diplomatic developments.

Indonesia and Australia have announced plans to extend their security cooperation, incorporating Japan and Papua New Guinea in future collaborations. This decision follows a recent meeting between Indonesia's Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and Australia's Defence Minister Richard Marles.

The two nations aim to develop trilateral security arrangements with Japan and Papua New Guinea. The defense leaders also discussed the prospect of establishing a defense training facility on Indonesia's Morotai Island, with plans to upgrade existing infrastructure there. The facility will remain Indonesian-owned, though there are potential opportunities for Australia to engage in training activities there, Marles noted.

Moreover, Indonesia is poised to send military personnel to an international security force in Gaza, depending on ongoing diplomatic dialogues led by the U.S. and other involved nations. Although initially prepared to deploy 20,000 troops, Indonesia is now ready to send 8,000 troops in phases, aligning the number with commitments from other contributing countries.

(With inputs from agencies.)