New Delhi, June 1 (NVI): India and Australia on Monday agreed to further strengthen defence and security cooperation with a focus on maritime security, defence industrial collaboration and emerging technologies during the second India-Australia Defence Ministers’ Dialogue held in New Delhi.
The dialogue was co-chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles at the Manekshaw Centre.
The two leaders reviewed progress in bilateral defence ties since the inaugural dialogue held in October 2025 and reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing cooperation to contribute to regional peace, security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
Both sides discussed maritime security cooperation and efforts to finalise a Joint Maritime Security Collaboration Roadmap. They agreed to advance maritime domain awareness activities, explore opportunities for cooperation in undersea domain awareness and enhance collaboration between the Indian Coast Guard and Australia’s Maritime Border Command.
India and Australia also reiterated support for a free, open, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific, underscoring the importance of freedom of navigation, overflight and adherence to international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The two countries announced plans to begin work on a Memorandum of Understanding for the provision of defence articles and services, aimed at deepening defence industrial collaboration. They also agreed to explore greater cooperation through the Joint Working Group on Defence Industry, Research and Materiel.
The ministers welcomed growing engagement between their armed forces and looked forward to enhanced participation in each other’s military exercises, including Exercise Talisman Sabre, Milan, Kakadu and Pitch Black.
They also agreed to explore future cooperation in defence science and technology, particularly in areas such as sensor technologies, while Australia invited India to participate in the 2026 Australian Defence Science, Technology and Research Summit.
The two sides expressed support for strengthening cooperation under the Quad framework and enhancing maritime domain awareness across the Indo-Pacific through information sharing, expert exchanges and joint exercises.
The dialogue concluded with both countries reaffirming their commitment to expanding strategic, operational and defence-industrial cooperation in line with their shared vision for regional security and stability.(NVI)
