By TIOL News Service

NEW DELHI, MAR 18, 2025: THE ninth edition of India-Australia Defence Policy Talks was held in New Delhi on March 17, 2025. The Indian delegation was headed by Joint Secretary Amitabh Prasad, while the Australian side was led by First Assistant Secretary International Policy Division, Department of Defence Australia Mr Bernard Philip.

Both sides welcomed sustained progress in bilateral defence cooperation, including the growing frequency and complexity of defence exercises & exchanges. It included several first-time milestones, finalisation of key agreements and participation in each other's major defence trade expositions.

The meeting reviewed defence outcomes of second Ministerial Foreign and Defence Ministers' 2+2 in November 2023, inter-sessional 2+2 consultations at Secretary-level in October 2024 and the second Annual Leaders' Summit in November 2024. The discussions focused on cooperation priorities including maritime domain awareness, reciprocal information sharing, industry and science and technology collaboration and exercises and exchanges including deployments from each other's territories. The two sides also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.

India and Australia are committed to working together to promote a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.

The two sides agreed on priorities and preparations for the next 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue to be held in Australia in 2025.  They reiterated their commitment to work on formulating long-term vision of defence and security collaboration between the two countries as envisioned by both Prime Ministers to enhance collective strength, contribute to both countries' security and make an important contribution to regional peace and security.

Both countries also explored the possibilities of defence industry collaboration. They called upon the respective agencies on both sides for acceleration cooperation in field of defence science and technology collaboration. They also agreed to further deepen cooperation and interoperability across maritime, land and air domains, including working with multilateral partners.

Over the years, defence has emerged as an important pillar of India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic partnership. The eighth edition of Defence Policy Talks was held in 2023.

As part of the visit, the Australian delegation will visit Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd in Mumbai. The Australian co-chair will call on Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh on March 18, 2025.