Melbourne [Australia]: India, Australia have agreed to consult each other on military and defence developments in the Indo-Pacific.
Speaking during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Australian PM Anthony Albanese said, "To increase the complexity of our defence exercises, and further build interoperability between our defence forces. We undertake to consult on defence-related developments in the Indo-Pacific that affect our shared interests. In addition, we have endorsed a joint maritime security collaboration roadmap."
Later a joint declaration released by two countries said, "We recognise a long-term vision of defence and security collaboration to enhance collective strength. This collaboration will contribute to both countries’ security and make an important contribution to regional peace and security."
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During the Modi's visit, India and Australia have significantly strengthened their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership by announcing a wide-ranging package of 18 agreements and initiatives spanning defence, maritime security, critical technologies, energy, education, skills, research and cultural cooperation.
At the heart of the announcements was the renewal of the Joint Declaration on Defence and Security Cooperation, which expands collaboration in defence interoperability, maritime security, cyber security, defence industry, counter-terrorism and humanitarian assistance. The two countries also unveiled a Maritime Security Collaboration Roadmap and signed a pact between the Indian Coast Guard and Australia's Maritime Border Command to enhance maritime law enforcement and domain awareness.
In the strategic technology and energy sectors, India and Australia reaffirmed their commitment to energy security, operationalised the 2014 Civil Nuclear Agreement to enable Australian uranium supplies to India, and launched the Partnership for Cyber, Critical Technologies and Supply Chains (PACTS) to strengthen cooperation in cyber security, critical technologies and resilient supply chains. A trilateral technology and innovation agreement involving Australia, Canada and India was also announced.
The partnership also received a major boost in education and skills development. Australia approved the establishment of campuses of Flinders University in Bengaluru and Victoria University in Gurugram, while a new Centre of Excellence for Mining and Mining Equipment Technology will be set up at the National Skill Training Institute in Bhubaneswar.
The two countries also agreed to strengthen cooperation in vocational education, research, and faculty exchanges through multiple institutional agreements.
Scientific collaboration was expanded through new partnerships between the Geological Survey of India and Geoscience Australia, as well as between CSIR and the University of Melbourne.
India also granted Australia's intellectual property authority access to the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library to help safeguard India's traditional knowledge systems.
In the renewable energy sector, the two sides operationalised a Rooftop Solar Training Academy in Gujarat to train 2,000 women and youth as solar technicians in support of India's clean energy transition.
The cultural partnership was reinforced with Australia repatriating three ancient Indian artefacts—statues of Nandi, Bhadrakali and Skanda—dating from the 11th and 12th centuries.
Together, the agreements underscore the growing strategic convergence between India and Australia, with both countries seeking deeper cooperation across security, technology, education, clean energy and people-to-people ties in the Indo-Pacific region.
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