Pitch Black | 27 Apr 2020
Why in News
Recently, Australia has informed India that the exercise Pitch Black 2020, scheduled to be held from 27th July to 14th August has been cancelled due to the Covid-19.
- The next edition will be held in 2022.
Key Points
- Exercise Pitch Black is a biennial three-week multilateral air combat training exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).
- Its last edition was held in 2018.
- It ensures that the training and integration of forces that occur during this exercise directly supports the Air Force's ability to conduct operations.
- Cooperation between India and Australia:
- Defence Cooperation
- It is based on the Memorandum on Defence Cooperation 2006, the Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation 2009 and the bilateral framework for Security Cooperation 2014.
- Australia and India are committed to working together to enhance maritime cooperation and have had AUSINDEX since 2015.
- Australia recently suggested trilateral cooperation among India, Australia and Indonesia to identify new ways for collaboration for the safety and security of the Indian Ocean.
- India and Australia both border the Indian Ocean and have a shared interest in the maintenance of freedom of navigation and trade.
- Australia recognises India’s critical role in supporting security, stability and prosperity of the Indian Ocean region.
- Civil Nuclear Cooperation
- A Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement was signed in September 2014 which came into force in November 2015.
- The deal ensures that Uranium mining companies of Australia can supply uranium to India for civil use.
- It also ensures that any future bilateral trade in other nuclear-related material or items for civil use will also be protected.
- Consular Cooperation
- India and Australia signed the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) and the Extradition Treaty in June 2008, which has been ratified by both the governments, and has come into force since January 2011.
- Defence Cooperation
