Hopes India take part in huge ADF military drill shot down

Australia has been dealt a massive blow in the lead up to one of the biggest military exercises in the world. See why it’s a win for China.

India will not take part in the Australian Defence Force’s biggest ever war games next fortnight, in a win for China and its claims such exercises consolidate an “Asian NATO” bloc.

In March Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stood with Indian counterpart Narendra Modi as he declared India a “top tier” defence partner who would “participate” for the first time in the Talisman Sabre 2023 military exercise.

“Australia will host (in 2023) Exercise Malabar for the first time and India will – also for the first time – participate in Australia’s Talisman Sabre exercise,” Mr Albanese enthused in March during a visit to India.

But Defence has now confirmed the Indian military will not participate, instead electing for only observer status for defence attaches to watch the huge biennial event.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese shakes hands with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi during his ceremonial reception at the forecourt of India's Rashtrapati Bhavan Presidential Palace in New Delhi, India, March 10, 2023. REUTERS/Altaf Hussain

Talisman is now one of the biggest military exercises in the world involving more than 30,000 troops and more than a dozen countries running through various conflict scenarios.

India’s participation was first flagged in 2021, as the final nation from the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) alliance to join the US and Japan. Their participation would have elevated Talisman to the next level and infuriated Beijing which has already accused Australia and the US of attempting to create “an Asian NATO” bloc to encircle China.

Details about the exercise, running between July 22 to August 4 on land, sea and air across northern Australia and as far south as NSW, were released on Thursday.

Defence Minister Richard Marles was approached for comment.

US Army paratroopers with the 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment, simulate Joint Forcible Entry Operation during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2021 in Charters Towers, Queensland. Picture: Lance Cpl. Alyssa Chuluda

ANU National Security College senior fellow Dr David Brewster said India not sending troops for Talisman was not a reflection of problems in the burgeoning India-Australia relationship.

He said China would always complain about such things, but the no-show would not be driven by Beijing’s sensitivities as India always acts in its own interests regardless.

“It should not be taken as a reflection of the Australia-India defence co-operation which is very much on an upward trajectory,” he said.

Personnel from 3rd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, conduct a beach assault on Forrest Beach, Queensland, during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2021.

University of Adelaide associate lecturer in defence and international relations David Olney said given India’s preoccupation with its border with China and the instability in Pakistan it was likely they did not want “military resources and good training half way across the planet”.

“At the end of the day India does what it wants to do based on its vision of where it wants to be, the ability to take the long view as China famously does,” he said.

Aside from ADF and US forces, Talisman Sabre 2023 will also include participants from Fiji, France, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, the United Kingdom, Canada and Germany.

India, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand will attend only as observer nations.

China is expected to send two navy spy ships to monitor the exercise.

Originally published as Hopes India take part in huge ADF military drill shot down