India and Australia to strengthen military ties.
India and Australia are poised to enhance their military cooperation through key agreements on intelligence sharing, submarine rescue, and joint military exercises during Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s historic visit to Australia, the first by an Indian Defence Minister since 2012. This visit underscores the strengthening of defence ties, as the two nations mark five years of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Singh is expected to engage in bilateral discussions with his Australian counterpart, Richard Marles, and lead a business roundtable focused on identifying new areas for collaboration, particularly in maritime security and advanced technology. As Australia views India as an indispensable security partner in the Indo-Pacific, both countries aim to formalize a joint Maritime Security Collaboration roadmap while exploring partnerships in maritime domain awareness. The significance of this visit lies in the accelerated defense relationship, which has seen a considerable increase in joint exercises, rising from 11 in 2014 to 33 in 2024. This collaboration not only enhances regional security but also signifies a robust alignment of interests between two democracies, reinforcing their commitment to maintaining stability in the Indo-Pacific region amidst evolving geopolitical dynamics.
