India, Australia looking at new maritime security framework 

India and Australia are set to expand their defence and security cooperation while separately drawing out a new maritime security collaboration. The two issues will be discussed when Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visits Australia for two days (October 9-10) and meets Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister of Australia Richard Marles.

Sources said there was no doubt that China and other major powers would be discussed at the meeting. The two sides are looking at renewing the 2009 'joint declaration on defence and security cooperation', this would address the expansion of military ties between the two countries over the past decade. This would form a key aspect of the bilateral talks. 

India indispensable security partner

“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.”  -- Philip Green, Australian High Commissioner to India

Also, a ‘joint maritime security collaboration’ roadmap is being readied and two sides are looking to conclude the roadmap which would aid maritime domain awareness. It would guide how the militaries of the two nations can cooperate and its finer points would be part of the discussions.

During Rajnath's visit, India and Australia are set to ink three agreements -- the first will be on exchange of classified military information; the second will be on submarine rescue; and the third will focus on the conduct of military-level talks.

Australian High Commissioner to India Philip Green today said: “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.” 

“The shift in the India-Australia defence partnership is truly seismic: there is more collaboration and activities than ever before, and at a greater level of complexity,” Green added.

Defence and security cooperation is now one of the strongest pillars of the bilateral partnership. Australia and India are top-tier security partners. In the past decade, our annual defence exercises, meetings, and activities had tripled with 33 such events being conducted in 2024.

Australia is a strong supporter of India’s defence industry ambitions and the first defence trade mission to India is this week with visits to Chennai and New Delhi. This would be focused on connecting Australian firms with India especially in the sector of ‘C5ISR’ that stands for ‘command, control, communications, computers, cyber-defence, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance’.