Australia and India are advancing discussions on a landmark bilateral treaty aimed at strengthening cybersecurity cooperation, as both nations grapple with escalating cyber threats. The proposed agreement would facilitate real-time data sharing and faster responses to cross-border cyberattacks, addressing gaps in existing legal frameworks.
Brendan Dowling, Australia’s Ambassador for Cyber Affairs and Critical Technologies, confirmed that while both governments agree on the necessity of such a treaty, formalising a framework remains a work in progress. The current Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty process is not smooth and impedes our ability to cooperate, emphasising the need for a dedicated cybersecurity agreement.
The urgency stems from a surge in cyberattacks, particularly against critical infrastructure. According to Australia’s Signals Directorate, the country recorded 87,400 cybercrime reports in 2023–24 (one every six minutes) with 11% targeting essential sectors like energy, water, and transport. State-sponsored threats from Russia, China, and North Korea have further exposed the limitations of traditional legal channels, which often delay urgent requests.
While both nations currently collaborate through multilateral platforms like the Quad alliance and Asia-Pacific CERTs, these mechanisms lack the speed needed to counter sophisticated threats. A bilateral treaty would enable direct communication, streamlined intelligence-sharing, and designated response teams.
Legal compatibility supports the initiative, with India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act (2023) and Australia’s ongoing data security reforms aligning their regulatory frameworks. Analysts view the treaty as a natural progression of the 2020 Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, reinforcing digital trust and national security.
Beyond operational benefits, the agreement signals a strategic stance against adversarial cyber activities, potentially serving as a model for future Indo-Pacific partnerships. The treaty underscores a shared commitment to responsible state behaviour in cyberspace. With negotiations underway, the pact marks a significant step in fortifying the Australia-India alliance against evolving digital threats.
