The Australia–Indonesia Treaty on Common Security
Strategic Question
Can Australia and Indonesia translate political commitments into practical cooperation on regional security?
Core Assessment
The Jakarta Treaty indicates a form of closer regional alignment on security matters without joining a formal military bloc or pact. The Treaty’s significance will depend on how effectively its commitments translate into practical cooperation through joint defence training, military exchanges, intelligence sharing, and coordinated diplomatic responses to regional security challenges.
Background
On February 6, Australia and Indonesia signed the Treaty on Common Security. The agreement commits to resolving disputes under international law, including UNCLOS and the Charter of the United Nations. It also commits both countries to consult on security matters, including challenges to sovereignty and territorial integrity, while strengthening existing defence cooperation. Under the Treaty, Indonesia maintains its non-aligned foreign policy position.
Strategic Assessment
The Jakarta Treaty reflects a broader shift in Indo-Pacific security architecture. Regional states are strengthening security ties through strategic agreements, military cooperation, and defence partnerships without necessarily entering formal alliances or abandoning strategic autonomy.
For Indonesia, the agreement retains its independent foreign policy. Indonesia’s doctrine of Bebas-Aktif (free and active) has been central to its foreign policy. The Jakarta Treaty demonstrates how Indonesia can strengthen security cooperation without abandoning strategic autonomy while avoiding perceptions that it forms part of a China containment architecture.
Australia continues to deepen regional security relationships, with the Jakarta Treaty reinforcing bilateral cooperation in Australia’s northern maritime approaches. Government officials have discussed the Treaty alongside other regional partnerships, including the Pukpuk Alliance with Papua New Guinea, the Nakamal agreement with Vanuatu, the Vuvale Union with Fiji and the ANZUS Treaty.
The significance of the Jakarta Treaty will be determined by how it is operationalised. Its value will be demonstrated by the extent to which it generates sustained practical cooperation through joint patrols, intelligence sharing, military training exercises, access arrangements, and coordinated responses to regional security challenges.
What to Watch
Australian and Indonesian political responses to implementing the Treaty.
Ratification and implementation of the Treaty.
Joint naval and military activity along with defence leadership exchanges.
Maritime cooperation around disputed domains.
Joint diplomatic responses to incursions into Indonesian maritime domains.
Strategic Indicator
Alliance Operationalisation
Assessment: ▲ Increasing
The Jakarta Treaty builds on other significant agreements between Australia and Indonesia, including the Agreement between the Republic of Indonesia and Australia on the Framework for Security Cooperation ("the Lombok Treaty") and the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The Treaty reflects a wider pattern of Indo-Pacific security partnerships based on practical cooperation rather than formal alliances.