India and Australia are placing greater emphasis on energy security and strategic cooperation as continued instability in West Asia puts pressure on one of the world’s most important maritime energy routes.
Australian High Commissioner to India Philip Green has expressed concern over the disruption affecting the Strait of Hormuz and said both India and Australia want the strategic waterway to return to normal operations at the earliest. The comments come amid wider concerns over the impact of instability in the region on shipping, fuel supplies and global energy markets.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical maritime chokepoint for international energy trade, making its disruption a concern for major importing and exporting economies. For India, which depends significantly on imported energy, prolonged uncertainty around the route could have wider implications for fuel costs, supply chains and economic activity.
Against this backdrop, India and Australia are also working to deepen their bilateral energy partnership. During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Australia in July, the two countries announced an energy security partnership aimed at strengthening cooperation in the energy and resources sector.
Australia already has an established role in India’s energy supply chain, particularly through coal and liquefied natural gas. Cooperation has also expanded towards uranium supplies, while India contributes to Australia’s energy requirements through refined petroleum products. The development of these alternative and diversified energy links could help both countries build greater resilience against disruptions affecting individual maritime routes.
The latest developments are also taking place alongside a broader expansion of India-Australia strategic ties. In July, both countries strengthened their defence and security partnership and endorsed a Joint Maritime Security Collaboration Roadmap designed to improve operational coordination, information sharing and capability development.
Australia and India have also agreed to strengthen cooperation involving maritime security, including through collaboration between Australia’s Maritime Border Command and the Indian Coast Guard. The two countries are additionally expanding cooperation in cyber technologies, critical technologies and resilient supply chains.
The growing partnership highlights how energy security and maritime security are becoming increasingly interconnected. For India and Australia, maintaining reliable access to energy, strengthening diversified supply chains and improving maritime cooperation could become increasingly important as geopolitical uncertainty continues to affect international trade routes.
With both countries seeking more resilient economic and strategic partnerships, cooperation on energy security is expected to remain an important component of the expanding India-Australia relationship.