India and Australia Sign New Defence Pact to Bolster Indo-Pacific Security
India and Australia on Thursday adopted a new Joint Declaration on Defence and Security Cooperation, committing to significantly deepen military engagement, strengthen defence industrial collaboration, and expand maritime security cooperation. The agreement comes amid growing geostrategic uncertainty in the Indo-Pacific region.
The declaration, signed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, outlines an ambitious roadmap to elevate defence ties through closer strategic consultations, enhanced interoperability between armed forces, expanded military exercises, and greater collaboration in defence science, technology, and industrial supply chains.
Under the declaration, both sides agreed to hold regular consultations on defence-related developments in the Indo-Pacific affecting their shared interests. They will increase the complexity of bilateral and multilateral military exercises, accelerate efforts to improve interoperability and information sharing, and expand aircraft deployments from each other’s territories.
The agreement also envisages deeper personnel exchanges through education, training, and liaison appointments. Both countries will explore opportunities to cooperate in recruiting skilled personnel for their respective defence workforces.
Recognising the strategic importance of the maritime domain, India and Australia agreed to enhance the depth, sophistication, and frequency of maritime security cooperation. They will implement an India-Australia Maritime Security Collaboration Roadmap to strengthen coordination across the Indian Ocean and the wider Indo-Pacific.
The declaration places significant emphasis on defence industry cooperation. Both sides committed to encouraging greater integration between their defence industries, building resilient supply chains, and expanding collaboration in defence innovation, advanced science, and technology.
The leaders noted that the new declaration builds upon the 2009 India-Australia Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation and complements existing institutional mechanisms, including the Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue, the 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial Dialogue, and the Defence Ministers’ Dialogue.
Expressing concern over growing geostrategic uncertainty and threats to regional peace and stability, India and Australia called for disputes to be resolved peacefully, without the threat or use of force or coercion, and in accordance with international law.
The two countries reaffirmed their commitment to a free, open, peaceful, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific underpinned by international law, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and adherence to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, including freedom of navigation and overflight.
They also reiterated support for regional institutions such as the Indian Ocean Rim Association, ASEAN-led regional architecture, and the Pacific Islands Forum, describing them as key platforms for addressing regional challenges.
