Trilateral security group AUKUS is pondering over including new members in the group. Particularly, the group is thinking of expanding the ‘Pillar -II’ of the AUKUS security pact.
Key highlights
- The USA pushes for including countries from Asia, including Japan as a deterrent against China. There are possibilities that Japan could get the membership soon.
- The group is considering the Philippines as well for offering membership in an effort to strengthen their grip over Asia.
- To join this group, Japan will have to boost its cyber security defence system and implement stricter rules for guarding secrets.
About AUKUS
- AUKUS is a three-member security partnership in the Indo-Pacific region, formed in 2021. It stands for Australia, the UK, and the US; they are the founders of the group and the current members.
- This was formed as an objective to counter China’s growing power in the Indo-Pacific region. China has opposed the AUKUS pact and said that it could encourage an arms race in the region.
- Pillar –I of the pact deals with provisions for delivering nuclear-powered submarines to Australia.
- The Pillar -II of the pact makes the members of the group responsible for jointly developing quantum computing, undersea capabilities, hypersonic and counter-hypersonic, electronic warfare, artificial intelligence, and cyber technology.
Concerns associated with the group
- The Pillar –I is particularly worrisome as it promotes the expansion of nuclear weapons. This has attracted criticism from the stakeholders and experts.
- With this deal, Australia will become a state with nuclear-powered submarines without having nuclear weapons.
- It is damaging as it may encourage other countries to follow the same method, resulting in nuclear proliferation.
