India, Australia deepen maritime security ties for 'free and open' Indo-Pacific

India and Australia on Thursday discussed a new mutual maritime security framework aimed at deepening cooperation for a ‘free, open, and resilient Indo-Pacific’.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on a two-day visit to Australia (October 9–10), held bilateral talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister of Australia Richard Marles in Canberra.

In a post on X after the meeting, Rajnath Singh said, “Together, we will deepen cooperation for a free, open, and resilient Indo-Pacific.”

The phrase “free and open Indo-Pacific” is a euphemism aimed at countering Chinese hegemony, which seeks to unilaterally change the maritime status quo in the South China Sea.

India and Australia are part of the four-nation Quad, along with the US and Japan. The group is scheduled to conduct a joint military exercise next month at Guam, a US base in the Western Pacific.

Meanwhile, during the meeting, the two ministers reviewed the full spectrum of India-Australia defence cooperation, including the defence industry, cyber defence, maritime security, and regional challenges.

Rajnath Singh also highlighted the rapid growth of India’s defence industry and its rising stature as a credible global source of high-quality defence technology. The two sides discussed the potential for deeper defence industry partnerships between India and Australia.

Defence and security cooperation has become one of the strongest pillars of the bilateral partnership. Australia and India are considered top-tier security partners. Over the past decade, the frequency of annual defence exercises, meetings, and activities has tripled, with 33 such events conducted in 2024 alone.

India and Australia are considering the renewal of the 2009 Joint Declaration on Defence and Security Cooperation, which will address the expansion of military ties between the two countries over the past decade. This was a key topic during the bilateral talks.

Additionally, a Joint Maritime Security Collaboration roadmap is being prepared, with both sides aiming to finalise it soon. This will enhance maritime domain awareness and guide military cooperation between the two nations, with detailed discussions on its finer points expected.

Earlier this week, Australian High Commissioner to India Philip Green stated, “India is an indispensable security partner for Australia. Our defence cooperation delivers tangible effects to uphold Indo-Pacific stability. This visit is a unique opportunity to deepen our defence partnership, including though enhancing strategic dialogue and information-sharing, and increasing the complexity of our exercises.”

Australia’s first defence trade mission to India is currently underway, with visits to Chennai and New Delhi. The mission focuses on connecting Australian firms with Indian counterparts, particularly in the sector of C5ISR — which stands for Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber-defence, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance.

Earlier, Rajnath Singh was welcomed at the Australian Parliament House, where he will witness parliamentary proceedings during his visit to Canberra.