India, Australia to boost defence, tech ties

India and Australia on Wednesday agreed to expand and diversify their defence industry collaboration, and explore joint projects in defence, science and technology, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said after a meeting between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Australian counterpart Richard Marles, Australian Deputy Prime Minister, in New Delhi.

The two leaders are expected to meet again in Australia later this year for the third edition of the India-Australia 2 2 dialogue, which brings together the foreign and defence ministers of both countries.

The MoD said discussions covered a broad range of issues, including strategic cooperation, cybersecurity, counter-terrorism, maritime and hydrographic security and collaboration on emerging technologies. The two Quad partners also reaffirmed their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific and Pacific Islands region.

Singh, in the meeting, underlined India’s right to act in self-defence against cross-border terrorism, describing the recent Operation Sindoor as “measured, non-escalatory, proportionate and responsible”.

PM, Oz Dy PM reaffirm commitment to Indo-Pacific stability

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New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles in New Delhi on Wednesday. The two leaders discussed their shared vision for a stable, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific, and underscored the growing depth of bilateral ties, particularly in defence and strategic cooperation amid evolving regional challenges.

Wednesday also marked five years of the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Both sides welcomed the progress made and recognised defence as a key pillar of the growing bilateral relationship.

The Australian High Commission in New Delhi issued a statement highlighting the “extraordinary growth” in ties over the past five years, including the signing of an Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement, deepening of defence cooperation and a transformative shift in education ties — with nearly 1.4 lakh Indian students attending Australian universities in 2024.

It also noted progress in the renewable energy partnership under which Australian expertise will support India’s goal of installing 10 million solar rooftops by 2030.

“Our partnership spans science and technology, defence, education, clean energy, agriculture and culture,” the statement said. Australian High Commissioner Philip Green added: “We’ve been drawn together by strategic alignment, economic complementarity and people-to-people connections. We have even bigger ambitions for the next five years.”

Earlier in the day, Marles was accorded a ceremonial welcome with a Tri-Services Guard of Honour and laid a wreath at the National War Memorial.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday reaffirmed India’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with Australia, identifying critical minerals, cybersecurity, technology, space and sports as emerging areas of collaboration.

Speaking at an event at the Australian High Commission in New Delhi to mark five years of the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, Jaishankar highlighted the “enormous deepening and diversification” of bilateral cooperation over the past half-decade.

He reiterated India’s support for mechanisms involving Australia, including the Quad, the Indian Ocean Rim Association, the United Nations and the India-Australia-France trilateral.

Marles arrived in Delhi on Tuesday night as part of a high-level regional visit to the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and India from June 2 to 5, according to an official Australian Defence release.