India-Australia Defence Ministers’ Joint Statement

New Delhi, Oct 09, 2025, PIB

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh held a bilateral meeting with Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Mr Richard Marles on October 09,2025. The joint statement of the Australia–India Defence Ministers’ Dialogue is as follows:“Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, the Hon Richard Marles MP, welcomed Minister of Defence of India, Shri Rajnath Singh, to Australia for the inaugural Australia–India Defence Ministers’ Dialogue. The Dialogue reflected unprecedented progress in the bilateral defence partnership and Ministers’ ambition to enhance cooperation, following the four bilateral meetings between the Ministers since the elevation of the Australia–India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2020. Ministers advanced their Prime Ministers’ long-term vision for collaboration between the two countries to enhance collective strength, contribute to both countries’ security, and make an important contribution to regional peace and security. They discussed a Joint Maritime Security Collaboration Roadmap to advance maritime cooperation, and looked forward to Prime Ministers renewing and strengthening the Joint Declaration on Defence and Security Cooperation.Ministers committed to expand the bilateral defence architecture and enhance consultation and cooperation by conducting an annual Defence Ministers’ Dialogue. Ministers welcomed the signing of the Australia–India Implementing Arrangement on Mutual Submarine Rescue Support and Cooperation. They welcomed progress towards operationalising the Australia–India Implementing Arrangement on Air-to-Air Refuelling signed in 2024. Ministers highlighted closer cooperation on information sharing.Ministers were pleased the defence partnership now extended across all domains. Ministers welcomed the establishment of Joint Staff Talks as a forum to progress joint exercises,operations and interoperability across all domains. Australia welcomed India’s participation in Australia’s Exercise Talisman Sabre in 2025 and looked forward to India’s participation in 2027.Ministers appreciated the growing frequency and complexity of defence exercises and exchanges and the increasing interoperability through implementation of the Mutual Logistics Support Arrangement. They welcomed the Royal Australian Air Force’s participation in the Indian Air Force’s Exercise Tarang Shakti in 2024 as well as the Royal Australian Navy’s and Indian Navy’s participation in navy-to-navy engagements in 2026. India welcomed Australia’s invitation for participation in submarine rescue exercise Black Carillon.Ministers welcomed additional Indian students at the Australian Defence College in 2026, and a position at the Australian Defence Force Academy in 2027 for the first time.