CANBERRA: Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh and Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Mr. Richard Marles, successfully concluded the inaugural Australia–India Defence Ministers’ Dialogue today, marking a significant acceleration of the bilateral defence partnership across all domains.
The Dialogue, held in Canberra, reflected the momentum gained since the 2020 elevation of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The Ministers committed to formalizing their heightened engagement by conducting an annual Defence Ministers’ Dialogue moving forward.
A key outcome of the meeting was the commitment to a Joint Maritime Security Collaboration Roadmap, intended to advance cooperation in the maritime domain. Ministers also welcomed the signing of a crucial Implementing Arrangement on Mutual Submarine Rescue Support and Cooperation, enhancing the ability of both navies to assist each other during emergencies.
The joint statement highlighted that the partnership now extends across all domains—land, sea, air, cyber, and space. To facilitate this, the Ministers welcomed the establishment of Joint Staff Talks as a new forum to progress exercises and interoperability.
The Defence Ministers underscored deepening military-to-military ties through a series of joint exercises: India’s Participation: Australia welcomed India’s participation in its flagship military exercise, Exercise Talisman Sabre, in 2025, with plans for subsequent participation in 2027.
Air and Naval Drills: Both sides noted the Royal Australian Air Force’s participation in the Indian Air Force’s Exercise Tarang Shakti in 2024 and confirmed naval engagements in 2026. India also welcomed an invitation to participate in the submarine rescue exercise, Black Carillon.
Army Cooperation: Cooperation in amphibious exercises, operations, and the enhancement of Exercise Austrahind in scope and complexity were also reaffirmed.
Furthermore, a step to strengthen human capital exchange was agreed upon, with Australia welcoming additional Indian students to the Australian Defence College in 2026 and, for the first time, establishing a position at the Australian Defence Force Academy in 2027.
Indo-Pacific and Defence Industry
Affirming their shared vision for a “free, open, peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” the Ministers stressed strong support for freedom of navigation and overflight consistent with international law, particularly UNCLOS 1982.
In a boost to industrial cooperation, the Ministers welcomed Australia’s first-ever defence trade mission to India this month and acknowledged the growth in the defence industry relationship through the inaugural India Pavilion at Australia’s Land Forces Expo 2024. Collaboration in contemporary technology, including integrated air and missile defence, uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), and secure communications, will be pursued via the Joint Working Group on Defence Industry, Research and Materiel. Australia also thanked India for its offer of Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) of Royal Australian Navy ships in Indian shipyards.
The Ministers also expressed satisfaction with the ongoing progress of Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) cooperation, particularly in enhancing collaboration on maritime domain awareness. Deputy Prime Minister Marles accepted Defence Minister Singh’s invitation to visit India for the Annual Defence Ministers’ Dialogue in 2026.
