Australia and India have agreed to deepen cooperation in the maritime domain as part of a broader effort to expand bilateral defence ties.
The agreement followed the inaugural Australia–India Defence Ministers’ Dialogue, hosted in Australia by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles and attended by India’s Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh.
A joint statement said the ministers advanced their countries’ shared vision for strengthening regional security and stability, with a particular emphasis on maritime collaboration.
They discussed a Joint Maritime Security Collaboration Roadmap to enhance coordination across the Indian Ocean and the wider Indo-Pacific.
Both sides also expressed support for renewing the Joint Declaration on Defence and Security Cooperation.
The ministers welcomed the signing of the Australia–India Implementing Arrangement on Mutual Submarine Rescue Support and Cooperation and noted progress on operationalising the Air-to-Air Refuelling arrangement signed in 2024. They agreed to hold annual Defence Ministers’ Dialogues and enhance information-sharing mechanisms.
Australia welcomed India’s participation in Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 and future iterations in 2027, while India welcomed Australia’s invitation to join its submarine rescue exercise Black Carillon. Both sides also highlighted collaborative maritime domain awareness and anti-submarine warfare activities by their patrol aircraft in the Indian Ocean.
