'We Want Peaceful Indo-Pacific Region': Australian Deputy PM On China's Military Build-Up

Last Updated:June 05, 2025, 12:41 IST

Speaking to CNN-News18, the Australian Deputy PM Richard Marles expressed concerns over China's military built-up.

The Australian Deputy Prime Minister spoke to News18's Zakka Jacob in an interview. (News18)

Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles in an exclusive interview with CNN-News18, expressed concerns over China’s military build-up in the Indo-Pacific region. Stating that Quad is growing its strategic partnership with India and several other countries of the region, as Australia wants a “peaceful Indo-Pacific".

Speaking to News18, the Australian Deputy PM said, “We do see China engaging in the biggest military build-up in the region. That makes it more important for us to work with like-minded countries, especially India."

“QUAD has expanded, but it is not a military construct. While we have military partnerships, there are other mechanisms through which we can deepen cooperation. As democracies, we share values.

“China is engaging in the biggest military build-up since the end of World War II. This is not a small matter. They are doing that without a sense of strategic reassurance. This is a strategic part of making the circumstances deeply complex for the countries of the region. We want to work together with India and other countries in the region," he said, raising concerns.

Responding to the relationship with India, Marles said, “Australia’s strategic alignment with India has been closer. It has never been greater than what it is now and we are seeking to work with India much more at a defence level as we are with Japan, and with the United States."

He added that Australia is trying to build up a balance within the region by working together with different countries. “We want a peaceful Indo-pacific region," the Minister said.

Australian Deputy PM On Op Sindoor

The Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles also during the interview, hailed India for its retaliatory strikes against Pakistan and opined that the ceasefire reached between the two countries after ‘Operation Sindoor’ must not have been an easy decision.

Marles also praised the stoppage of military action between India and Pakistan as an act of Indian leadership.

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