9th Defence Policy Talks: India, Australia commit to enhancing interoperability across domains

The 9th India-Australia Defence Policy Talks were held in New Delhi on Monday, where both nations reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening defense cooperation, as per an official statement from the Ministry of Defence. The Indian delegation was led by Joint Secretary Amitabh Prasad, while the Australian side was headed by Bernard Philip, First Assistant Secretary of the International Policy Division, Department of Defence, Australia.

During the talks, both sides welcomed the progress made in bilateral defense ties, highlighted by the increased frequency and complexity of joint exercises and exchanges. The discussions focused on key cooperation priorities, including maritime domain awareness, reciprocal information sharing, collaboration in the defense industry and science & technology, and participation in defense trade expositions.

The meeting reviewed the outcomes of recent high-level engagements, such as the second Ministerial Foreign and Defence Ministers’ 2+2 dialogue in November 2023, inter-sessional 2+2 consultations in October 2024, and the second Annual Leaders’ Summit in November 2024. Both nations also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, reiterating their shared vision for a peaceful and stable Indo-Pacific region.

Looking ahead, India and Australia agreed on preparations for the upcoming 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, set to take place in Australia in 2025. The two sides expressed their commitment to formulating a long-term vision for defense and security collaboration, enhancing interoperability across maritime, land, and air domains, and working with multilateral partners.

The talks also explored opportunities for deeper defense industry collaboration and accelerated cooperation in defense science and technology. Both nations acknowledged the importance of contributing to regional peace and security through collective strength.

As part of the visit, the Australian delegation will tour the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd in Mumbai, and Bernard Philip will meet with Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh on Tuesday.