After three bilateral agreements have been signed so far, the Agreement on Security Maintainment (1995), the Agreement on the Framework of Security Cooperation (2004) and the Agreement on Defense Cooperation (2024), this Joint Security Treaty is not only based on and continues the agreements signed by both sides on defense and security cooperation, but also a new level and quality of cooperation in these particularly important and sensitive areas between Indonesia and Australia.
It implies not only bilateral cooperation but also a linkage without alliances, lying somewhere between cooperation and alliance. It reflects the approach and common policy of both sides to upgrade and build a new nature for the cooperative relationship between the two countries without the need for alliances in military, defense and security.
At present and in the context of the current situation in the world as well as in Southeast Asia, East Asia and the Indian - Pacific Ocean, not a political alliance but an effective alliance in reality is the responsibility of both Indonesia and Australia.
In all three areas of the above region, everything directly and indirectly related to the military, defense and security is extremely sensitive, which can become beneficial or harmful to security and stability, directly affecting and affecting relations between countries in the region and between countries in the region and countries outside the region.
Indonesia's foreign policy is non-linear. Since taking power in Indonesia, President Prabowo Subianto has strived to promote bilateral cooperation with all partners, especially with major partners inside and outside the region. Prime Minister Albanese strongly promoted Australia's relations with the US but intentionally maintained a certain balance between the US and China. Therefore, Prabowo and Albanese are avoiding forming or being felt by the outside as Australia and Indonesia being allies in military, defense and security.
The two sides aim at this common security treaty because they both have the same need to respond to non-traditional security threats and challenges. Australia needs Indonesia to add to its network of bilateral linkages with many countries in the Indo-Pacific region in military, defense and security. This network helps Australia build a larger role, more extensive influence on political and security in the Indo-Pacific region, and at the same time, a very practical addition to the tripartite security alliance between Australia and the UK and the US (AUKUS). Indonesia needs this level and quality of defense and security cooperation with Australia to build its position as an influential focus in the Indo-Pacific region.
The main contents of the Joint Security Treaty between Indonesia and Australia are the periodic consultation of each other at the highest level of leadership and the ministerial level on issues related to common security, joint action or each side acting in case one side is threatened with security, joint action to enhance national defense and security for both sides - similar to Australia in AUKUS. This treaty will help the two sides build and enhance mutual trust, opening up opportunities for new development steps to move closer to the alliance rather than the alliance with each other.
