India, Australia elevate strategic partnership with landmark Defence and Security Declaration

Melbourne: India and Australia have significantly upgraded their strategic relationship by adopting a comprehensive Joint Declaration on Defence and Security Cooperation, committing to deepen collaboration across defence, maritime security, cyber resilience, critical technologies, counter-terrorism, defence manufacturing and humanitarian assistance.

The declaration was jointly adopted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during the Prime Minister’s visit to Australia, reinforcing the two nations’ shared vision of a free, open, peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

The new declaration builds upon the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) established in 2020 and expands the scope of the India-Australia Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation signed in 2009.

A Stronger Strategic Partnership

The two leaders reaffirmed that India and Australia have witnessed remarkable progress in strategic convergence, economic cooperation and people-to-people ties over the past several years.

They also highlighted the growing importance of bilateral mechanisms such as:

• Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue
• 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial Dialogue
• Defence Ministers’ Dialogue
• Quad cooperation and other regional partnerships

The declaration notes that the evolving geopolitical landscape requires both countries to accelerate cooperation to safeguard regional peace and stability.

Shared Vision for the Indo-Pacific

India and Australia reaffirmed their commitment to a rules-based Indo-Pacific founded on:

• Respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity
• Adherence to international law
• Freedom of navigation and overflight under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)
• Peaceful resolution of disputes without coercion or use of force
• Strong, transparent and inclusive regional institutions

The two countries also reiterated support for the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), ASEAN-led regional architecture, and the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF).

Defence Cooperation to Become More Integrated

The declaration outlines an ambitious roadmap to transform bilateral defence cooperation into an advanced and integrated partnership.

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Key initiatives include:

• Regular consultations on Indo-Pacific security developments
• More complex bilateral and multilateral military exercises
• Greater interoperability between defence forces
• Expanded aircraft deployments from each other’s territories
• Increased personnel exchanges, education and training
• Cooperation in developing skilled defence workforces

Maritime Security and Defence Industry Collaboration

Recognising the strategic importance of the Indian Ocean, both countries agreed to enhance maritime cooperation through a dedicated India-Australia Maritime Security Collaboration Roadmap.

The declaration also calls for:

• Stronger defence industrial partnerships
• Greater supply chain resilience
• Collaboration in defence innovation
• Joint research in advanced defence science and technology

Cyber Security, Critical Technologies and Supply Chains

India and Australia pledged to strengthen cooperation under the Australia-India Partnership on Cyber, Critical Technologies and Supply Chains (Australia-India PACTS).

Priority areas include:

• Cyber security
• Artificial Intelligence
• Critical and emerging technologies
• Strategic technologies
• Information sharing
• Supply chain resilience

The leaders also committed to strengthening cooperation in critical minerals and clean energy technologies.

Stronger Counter-Terrorism Cooperation

The declaration enhances bilateral cooperation against terrorism through increased intelligence and information sharing.

The two countries will collaborate to counter:

• Terror financing
• Online radicalisation
• Violent extremism
• Threats to critical infrastructure
• Maritime security threats
• Misuse of emerging technologies

Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response

India and Australia also agreed to deepen cooperation in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR).

Future collaboration will include:

• Joint disaster response exercises
• Information sharing
• Expert exchanges
• Coordination during regional emergencies
• Participation in the Quad Indo-Pacific Logistics Network

The declaration also explores cooperation in evacuation operations during international crises.

Expanding Regional Cooperation

The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to working closely with regional partners, including the United States and Japan, to promote peace, resilience and prosperity across the Indo-Pacific.

The declaration concludes with a commitment to fully implement the ambitious agenda and strengthen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for the benefit of both countries and the wider Indo-Pacific region.

The Joint Declaration marks one of the most comprehensive upgrades in India-Australia strategic relations since the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership was launched in 2020. Beyond traditional defence cooperation, the agreement reflects a broader convergence in geopolitics, focusing on resilient supply chains, cyber security, critical minerals, emerging technologies, defence innovation and maritime security. As the Indo-Pacific becomes increasingly central to global strategic competition, India and Australia are positioning themselves as trusted partners committed to preserving a rules-based regional order while expanding cooperation through the Quad and other multilateral frameworks.