Australia has struck a "watershed" bilateral security treaty with Indonesia in a surprise pact that will see the two nations deepen their defence relationship and consider a joint military response if either comes under attack.
The treaty, which builds on the Defence Cooperation Agreement signed last year, will also commit both countries to "consult at a leader and ministerial level" on a regular basis on security matters and "identify and undertake mutually beneficial security activities".
The agreement, to be formally inked in Jakarta in January next year, will also see both nations confer in the event of "adverse challenges to either party or to their common security interests" and consider either an individual or joint response.
Standing alongside Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in Sydney, Mr Albanese said the treaty would help maintain the status quo in the Indo Pacific.
"Australia's relationship with Indonesia is based on friendship, trust, mutual respect and a shared commitment to peace an
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