Why in news?
India and Australia launched a new strategic technology framework called PACTS, and it replaces their 2020 cyber and critical-technology framework. PACTS has five connected pillars, and it covers supply chains, advanced technology, cybersecurity, digital resilience and defence research.
Background
India and Australia established a Strategic Partnership in 2009, and their relationship expanded through trade, security cooperation and Indo-Pacific coordination.
In June 2020, both countries elevated relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. They also signed a framework for cyber and cyber-enabled critical technology cooperation.
Technology risks changed rapidly after 2020, and semiconductor shortages exposed fragile supply chains. Cyberattacks increasingly targeted governments, companies and essential services.
Critical minerals also became strategically important, and these minerals support batteries, electronics, renewable energy and defence production. Australia has major mineral resources, while India has a large technology market.
What is PACTS?
PACTS means Partnership on Cyber, Critical Technologies and Supply Chains. It is an Australia–India framework for coordinated action.
The partnership succeeds and replaces the 2020 framework, and it creates one strategic umbrella for several existing work areas.
PACTS will connect governments, universities, research institutions and private companies. Projects may cover research, investment, standards, skills and commercial technology.
Pillar 1: Supply-chain resilience and diversification
- Both countries will promote secure and trustworthy technology supply chains, and they will develop cooperation on trusted-vendor frameworks.
- Research institutions will study risks affecting semiconductor supply chains, and the partnership will support secure critical-mineral supply chains.
- Work may include investment, recycling, recovery and regulatory alignment, and India’s lead agency is the National Security Council Secretariat.
A resilient supply chain can continue operating after disruption, and diversification reduces dependence on one country, company or transport route.
Undersea cable cooperation
Most international digital traffic travels through submarine fibre-optic cables, and damage can interrupt communications, banking and government services.
PACTS links this work with the Quad Partnership for Cable Connectivity and Resilience. India and Australia will improve information-sharing and risk coordination.
Pillar 2: Critical technology
This pillar covers technologies with major economic or security importance. The named areas are listed below.
- Artificial intelligence and access to computing infrastructure are included, and space technology and commercial space cooperation are included.
- Telecommunications, biotechnology and advanced materials are included, and both countries will support safe and trustworthy international standards.
- India’s lead agency is the National Security Council Secretariat.
Pillar 3: Cybersecurity
- The countries will cooperate against cybercrime and malicious cyber activity, and they will strengthen protection for critical national infrastructure.
- A streamlined bilateral cyber mechanism will reduce duplicated work, and officials will discuss data governance and United Nations cyber processes.
- A cyber-technology skills incubator will support workforce development.
- India’s lead is the Cyber Diplomacy Division of the External Affairs Ministry.
Pillar 4: Digital resilience
This pillar takes cooperation beyond the two countries, and India and Australia will support trusted digital solutions across the Indo-Pacific.
Projects may adapt India’s Digital Public Infrastructure principles, and possible areas include health, education, connectivity, clean energy and social protection.
Digital Public Infrastructure provides basic digital systems for many services, and identity, payments and secure data exchange are common examples.
India’s lead agency is the Oceania Division of the External Affairs Ministry.
Pillar 5: Defence research collaboration
- India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will deepen links with Australia’s Defence Science and Technology Group.
- Defence start-ups from both countries may collaborate, and priority fields include maritime surveillance and advanced materials.
- India’s Ministry of Defence leads this pillar.
Governance structure
India’s Deputy National Security Adviser will jointly chair the partnership. The Australian co-chair is a senior official from the Prime Minister’s Department.
A Senior Officials Meeting will take place annually, and it will review progress, identify projects and examine emerging risks.
Remember: PACTS is an India–Australia partnership. It is not a Quad-wide treaty, although one pillar supports a Quad cable initiative.
Conclusion
PACTS updates bilateral cooperation for a technology-centred security environment, and its value depends on practical projects. The five pillars and their Indian lead agencies are important facts.