United States' new Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Australian Defence Minister Linda Reynolds have agreed to make the Indo-Pacific the key focus of the "Unbreakable Alliance" during their first call.
Taking place on Wednesday morning, Senator Reynolds congratulated Secretary Austin on his appointment and conveyed Australia's focus this year on progressing bilateral cooperation with regional and global partners.
"We agreed it is vital that we continue working together across the breadth of our relationship as the Indo-Pacific region evolves and faces new challenges," Senator Reynolds said.
The US will continue to work side by side with allies and partners to maintain regional security.
According to the Pentagon read-out of the conversation, Secretary Austin emphasised the importance of maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific, founded on existing international law and norms in a region free of malign behavior.
"After more than a century since we first fought side-by-side, the shared values and unwavering defence relationship between our two countries remain unbreakable," Senator Reynolds said. "We share sophisticated strategic and economic shared interests, common values and deep historical and cultural bonds."
It was only the second senior level call to Australia from the new administration of President Joe Biden, following US Climate Envoy John Kerry's phone call with Energy Minister Angus Taylor earlier this week.
Australia was the fifth international call on Secretary Austin's schedule since he was confirmed this week, with China a consistent theme across many of the conversations.
With the UK he raised concerns about a rising China, threats from Russia and ongoing operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Security in the Indo-Pacific and disputed island territory in the East China Sea was discussed with Secretary Austin's call with Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi.
Senator Reynolds and Secretary Austin will meet in person later in 2021 at the annual AUSMIN meeting of senior government ministers in Australia. This year's meeting will also coincide with the 70th anniversary of the ANZUS alliance.
Both the top Defence politicians began their pre-political careers serving in their respective Army.
Secretary Austin, who is also the first black American to head up the Pentagon, was given a waiver by congress to take up the role. Recent-serving military personnel are restricted from the top civilian position in the Pentagon by law.
President Biden's pick for Secretary of State, Antony Blinken was sworn in earlier this morning and began calls with counterparts from Canada, Mexico and Japan.