Prime Minister Narendra Modi is currently on a tour of Australia and during this, an agreement has been signed between the two countries on defense and security cooperation. India and Australia have decided to take their mutual defense partnership to the next level by issuing a new joint declaration on Defense and Security Cooperation 2026. Under the agreement on 20 issues, it has also been agreed between the two to increase the deployment of military aircraft from each other’s areas.
In the jointly issued declaration, it was said that India and Australia have decided to take mutual defense partnership to the next level. Both countries are united in their intention to strengthen their mutual strategic partnership. Also committed to an open, peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific and shared cooperation.
Both countries will have regular dialogue at the Defense Minister level
Both countries have agreed on the importance of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP). Since the launch of CSP, strategic convergence between the two has intensified, and economic relations have also deepened. The connection between the people of both the countries has become stronger. Both countries have resolved to develop an advanced, integrated and top level defense and security partnership.
Emphasis has been laid on rules-based order, sovereignty, maritime security and adherence to UNCLOS in the Indo-Pacific region. It has also been agreed to increase regular dialogue and strategic exchanges at the level of Defense Ministers between the two countries.
Both the countries have decided to increase the number and complexity of mutual joint military exercises. It has also been decided that interoperability and information sharing between the armies of the two countries will be strengthened. Apart from this, it has been agreed to increase military aircraft deployments from each other’s areas.
Both countries will cooperate against human trafficking
In order to strengthen mutual relations, training, education, exchange programs and liaison roles of military officers will be expanded. Maritime security cooperation will be further deepened under the India-Australia Maritime Security Collaboration Roadmap.
Cooperation between defense industries will be increased in supply chain, defense production, defense innovation and advanced defense technology. Along with this, Australia-India PACTS will be strengthened for cooperation in cyber security, critical technology and supply chain.
Terrorism is a big challenge for the world. In such a situation, both the countries have agreed to share intelligence against terrorism and jointly deal with new technology, terror funding, maritime security, critical infrastructure and online radicalization. Mutual cooperation against illegal migration, human trafficking and organized crime will also continue.
We will continue our cooperation under the agreement signed in 2023 under the ‘Migration and Mobility Partnership Arrangement’, which outlines ways to prevent irregular migration, smuggling of people and human trafficking. We will also continue our cooperation to combat international organized crime.
Agreement on multilateral cooperation with Japan-US
Also, emphasis has been laid on promoting women peace and security agenda. A commitment has been made to develop critical minerals, clean energy technology and strong supply chains. Under the agreement, it has been agreed to increase trilateral and multilateral cooperation with America and Japan.
Joint exercises, information sharing and coordinated response to disasters will be strengthened in both countries in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR). It has also been agreed to increase cooperation during crisis or evacuation operations in third countries. Apart from this, both the countries have reiterated their commitment to work together for a free, peaceful, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
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