AUKUS will ensure peace in IndoPacific, says U.S. official

The AUKUS trilateral cooperation between Australia, the U.S., and the U.K. will ensure safety, security and peace in the IndoPacific, said Bonnie Denise Jenkins, U.S. Undersecretary for arms control and international security. Ms. Jenkins stressed that AUKUS does not violate the nonproliferation treaty and that Australia will remain a nonnuclear state that does not acquire nuclear weapons.

To a question from The Hindu on the conversations with India on arms control and nonproliferation in a virtual briefing, Ms. Jenkins said, “India’s been engaged with us on many issues from many years. We haven’t been able to have extensive discussions right now on particular issues on arms control but I can say that we have traditionally had discussions with them. We are looking forward to having more regular conversations with India on these issues.” Further, she said India has been engaged with them on many issues for

Bonnie Denise Jenkins

many years. We haven’t been able to have extensive discussions right now on particular issues on arms control but I can say that we have traditionally had discussions with them, she added.

“When I have my bilateral with colleagues from India, I have an opportunity to have some discussions on arms control. So, there are forums where India plays a role and we have opportunities at multilateral forums. We are looking to have more bilateral conversations outside those as well. We look forward to having more indepth conversations bilaterally in the future,” Ms. Jenkins said.

Under AUKUS, the U.S. and U.K. partners announced the implementation plan to equip Australia with Nuclear Attack Submarines (SSN). As per this, Australia will get at least three second hand SSNs from the U.S. in the 2030s as an interim measure while Canberra will receive five new SSNs to be designed and developed by the U.K. from early 2040s to the late 2050s.

Talking of AUKUS, the Undersecretary said, “We see this [AUKUS] in a way which will help ensure safety, security, and peace in the IndoPacific. All three countries are committed to make sure that this happens. AUKUS does not violate the nonproliferation treaty. Australia will remain a nonnuclear state that does not acquire a nuclear weapon, not developing any nuclear weapon. We are daily or weekly in fact, in contact with International Atomic Energy Agency.”

Elaborating, she said the importance of AUKUS itself is to ensure that we have a safe IndoPacific region where countries can make their own sovereign decisions from coercion and this is an example demonstrating their commitment to international partnership.