Canberra | October 24,2025 | SKY LINK TIMES
India-Australia Defence Ties:
India and Australia have taken a decisive leap in their defence partnership, moving beyond strategic alignment toward operational depth, following Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s landmark visit to Australia — the first by an Indian Defence Minister in 12 years.
The visit, held from October 9–10, coincided with Exercise AUSTRAHIND, a bilateral military drill in Perth (October 13–26), underscoring both nations’ growing cooperation in urban and semi-urban combat operations.
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Historic Defence Ministers’ Dialogue Sets New Framework
According to a report by the Australian Institute of International Affairs (AIIA), Singh’s visit marked a “watershed moment” for Indo-Australian relations. The two sides held their inaugural Australia–India Defence Ministers’ Dialogue, culminating in a joint statement outlining key areas of collaboration.
The highlight of the dialogue was the signing of the Implementing Arrangement on Mutual Submarine Rescue Support and Cooperation — a major step toward strengthening undersea trust, coordination, and interoperability.
“This arrangement enhances the ability of both navies to respond jointly to undersea contingencies while countering China’s expanding influence in the Indian Ocean,” the report noted.
Operational and Industrial Cooperation Take Center Stage
Beyond the strategic symbolism, the outcomes of Singh’s visit have practical implications. Both countries agreed to establish Joint Staff Talks, enabling more synchronized joint operations and exercises across air, sea, and land domains.
Additionally, defence-industrial cooperation emerged as a new pillar of the partnership. India will now provide maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services for Royal Australian Navy ships operating in the Indian Ocean — a move expected to cut sustainment times and enhance maritime readiness.
The two nations also reaffirmed their commitment to collaborate on cutting-edge defence technologies, including the creation of Joint Working Groups focusing on industry, research, and materials.
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Three Strategic Gains for the Indo-Pacific
The AIIA report outlined three key achievements from this visit:
1. Turning strategic alignment into operational mechanisms — through submarine rescue, staff talks, MRO, and refuelling initiatives.
2. Advancing industrial reciprocity — reducing sustainment risks and encouraging joint innovation.
3. Expanding regional influence — strengthening Indo-Pacific security without binding treaty commitments, aligning with both nations’ strategic autonomy.
Strengthening the Indo-Pacific Vision
Marking the fifth anniversary of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the visit reaffirmed India and Australia’s shared commitment to a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific. With growing coordination in maritime security, logistics, and intelligence sharing, the bilateral relationship is evolving into one of the most trusted security partnerships in the region.
As Rajnath Singh’s visit concludes, analysts agree that India-Australia defence relations have entered a new phase of actionable cooperation, moving decisively from “words to work” in ensuring regional stability.
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