Australia lists critical tech for Quad and AUKUS to counter China

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 17

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Wednesday announced work on 63 critical technologies to match China’s advances in technologies aimed at achieving global economic dominance.

He was addressing the Sydney Dialogue, organised by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), which will also be addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Cooperation in critical technologies is also the endeavour of AUKUS and the Quad Groupings.

Addressing an online meet on the same subject in Bengaluru, the Australian PM announced plans to open a consulate in the city to intensify ties with India in the area of high technology.

Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne noted that Bengaluru is the world’s fourth-largest technology cluster, and home to a third of India’s unicorn companies. “Bengaluru and its vibrant business community will play a determinative role in India’s rise as a technological superpower. It is home to significant biotech, aerospace and defence industries, a thriving start-up ecosystem, India’s national space agency as well as leading education and research institutions,’’ she noted.

The technologies mentioned by Morrison at Sydney included artificial intelligence, 6G, synthetic biology, and quantum technology.

Australia is using this route to deepen its technology partnerships through the Quad. “Together with India, Japan and the United States, Australia is working to harness our respective nations’ capabilities to enhance the resilience of Indo-Pacific supply chains and foster an open, accessible and secure technology ecosystem,’’ he said.

Morrison recalled that at the first in-person meeting of Quad leaders in Washington, it was agreed to strengthen effort in technical standards, with initial focus on advanced communications and AI; 5G deployment and diversification, and, immediate focus on supply chain security for semiconductors and their vital components.

One area where India could be a partner is Quantum technology with Australia proposing strategic partnerships with “like-minded countries’’ to commercialise research in this segment.

The Australian PM said the “Blueprint’’ of the 63 critical technologiesis meant to ensure that Canberra has access to critical technologies and systems that are secure, reliable, and cost-effective.

“The blueprint is supported by an action plan, which outlines what Australia is doing to protect and promote critical technologies in pursuit of our national interest,’’ he said.

The AUKUS too is much more than nuclear submarines. “AUKUS will see Australia, the UK and the US promote greater integration of security and defence-related science, technology, industrial bases and supply chains,” he said.