India, Australia reiterate support for multi-stakeholder approach to internet governance

Canberra [Australia], July 14 (ANI): India and Australia have reiterated their support for the multi-stakeholder approach to internet governance. The two sides, during the second Australia-India Cyber Policy Dialogue held in Canberra on Thursday, reaffirmed their commitment to an open, free, secure, stable, peaceful and accessible cyberspace enabling economic growth and innovation. The Dialogue was held in a spirit of collaboration, openness and common purpose to strengthen cooperation on cyber issues. The two countries agreed that the bilateral Cyber Policy Dialogue provided a strong foundation for existing and future cooperation. The two countries reaffirmed their commitment to the rules-based order and to enhancing their understandings of how these rules applied to state behaviour in cyberspace. They reaffirmed their commitment to act in accordance with the UNGGE's previous reports and, in particular, the 11 voluntary norms of state behaviour set out in the 2015 report. Australia and India reaffirmed that responsible behaviour of states in cyberspace is subject to the UN Charter in its entirety and existing international law. They further reaffirmed that such behaviour includes respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. The two countries observed that the cumulative reports of the UNGGE have gone a long way to deepening common understandings, not just about how international law and norms apply to cyberspace, but they have also provided important guidance on confidence building measures and capacity building. This combined framework helps reduce the risk of conflict by creating clear expectations for responsible state behaviour in cyberspace. Australia and India resolved to work together to deepen common understandings on these important issues, including at the upcoming Global Conference on Cyberspace in New Delhi in November 2017. The two sides discussed the full range of cyber issues including cyber threat perceptions, respective visions of the future of the internet and cyberspace, updates on domestic cyber governance and policy, developments in regional and international fora and growth of the digital economy. Further, the two sides also agreed on a Plan of Action, which identified Points of Contacts on various issues of mutual interest in the area of Cyberspace. The Dialogue was led for Australia by Dr Tobias Feakin, Ambassador for Cyber Affairs, and on the Indian side by Sanjay Kumar Verma, Joint Secretary for Cyber Diplomacy, Ministry of External Affairs. The Dialogue included, on the Australian side, representatives from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, the Department of Communications and the Arts, and Australian Cyber Security Centre agencies (the Attorney-General's Department, including CERT Australia; the Department of Defence; the Australian Federal Police; and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission). On the Indian side, the Dialogue included India's High Commissioner to Australia, representatives from the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the National Security Council Secretariat. The two countries agreed to hold the next round of the Dialogue in India in 2018. (ANI)