Recently Indian Defence Minister  and Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister held the inaugural Australia–India Defence Ministers’ Dialogue in Australia. 

• The joint statement reflects the deepening of the bilateral defence partnership under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2020) and a shared commitment to regional stability in the Indo-Pacific.

Key Highlights of the Joint Statement

Institutional Mechanisms

• Annual Defence Ministers’ Dialogue: Institutionalised to ensure structured strategic engagement and continuity in policy coordination.
• Implementing Arrangement on Mutual Submarine Rescue Support and Cooperation: Signed to strengthen maritime safety and underwater rescue operations.
• Exercise Participation: India invited to join Australia’s Submarine Rescue Exercise “Black Carillon”, enhancing deep-sea rescue interoperability.

Defence Education and Capacity Building

• Training Exchange: India to send additional officers to the Australian Defence College (2026).
• Institutional Representation: India will have representation at the Australian Defence Force Academy (2027), a first in bilateral defence education cooperation.
• Research and Technology Cooperation: Both sides to enhance joint work in defence R&D, materials science, unmanned systems, AI, and secure communications technologies.

Maritime and Strategic Cooperation

• Ministers reaffirmed commitment to freedom of navigation and overflight in line with UNCLOS (1982).
• Discussed finalisation of a Joint Maritime Security Collaboration Roadmap to enhance domain awareness, information sharing, and blue economy sustainability.

Military Exercises and Operational Cooperation

• Army-Level Engagement: Both sides to deepen cooperation through Exercise Austrahind and Exercise Puk Puk, focusing on amphibious operations and joint force training.
• Humanitarian Operations: Australia invited India to future editions of Operation Render Safe, which focuses on explosive ordnance disposal and humanitarian relief.
• Technology and Tactical Sharing: Collaboration on integrated air and missile defence, counter-UAS systems, special operations, and secure battlefield communications.

Strategic and Policy Significance

• Maritime Focus: Strengthens India’s strategic presence in the Indian Ocean and Australia’s engagement in the Indo-Pacific.
• Industrial Synergy: Opens avenues for co-development and co-production in defence technology.
• Regional Stability: Reinforces shared democratic values and commitment to counterbalance coercive behaviour in the Indo-Pacific.
• Education & Training: Fosters long-term defence diplomacy through personnel exchange.

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