Context
India and Australia are set to sign a Joint Declaration on Defence and Security Cooperation during Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s official visit to Australia in October 2025. The declaration aims to strengthen strategic collaboration in defence manufacturing, maritime security, and regional stability across the Indo-Pacific.
Background and Strategic Context
- Australia has traditionally relied on the U.S. and Western defence systems, but is now increasingly recognising India’s technological and industrial capacity as a reliable partner in the defence domain.
- India’s growing capabilities in defence equipment production, combined with its role as an emerging regional security provider, make it a central partner in Australia’s Indo-Pacific strategy.
Key Highlights of the Visit
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will meet Australian Deputy PM and Defence Minister Richard Marles in Sydney.
- Joint activities will include an air-to-air refuelling exercise involving the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) KC-30A multi-role tanker.
- Broader talks will cover bilateral, regional, and multilateral cooperation, including the Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific frameworks.
Maritime Strategy and Cooperation
- India and Australia are developing a Maritime Security Road Map to enhance collaboration in maritime domain awareness (MDA) and joint operations in the Indian Ocean.
- Both nations are focusing on freedom of navigation, countering illegal fishing, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief (HADR) cooperation.
Defence and Security Declaration: Key Components
- Establishes a structured framework for long-term defence industrial cooperation.
- Enhances joint military training, defence production, and interoperability.
- Promotes collaboration in defence technology, cyber security, and strategic logistics.
- Reinforces coordination within the Quad framework (India, Australia, Japan, and the U.S.) to ensure Indo-Pacific stability.
Significance
- Fifth Anniversary of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2020–2025):
Marks a deepening of India–Australia ties across trade, education, and defence. - Maritime Security Leadership:
India and Australia are among the top-tier maritime security partners in the Indo-Pacific, with cooperation tripling between 2014 and 2025. - Strategic Balance in the Indo-Pacific:
The declaration supports the “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” vision and strengthens collective deterrence against coercive regional behaviour.