Key Outcomes of the Dialogue Strengthening Defence Cooperation:

Both sides welcomed the increasing complexity and frequency of defence exercises and exchanges. Several first-time milestones were acknowledged, including the finalisation of key agreements and participation in major defence trade expositions. Review of Past Engagements:

Ministerial Foreign & Defence Ministers' 2+2 Dialogue (November 2023). Secretary-level Inter-Sessional 2+2 Consultations (October 2024). Annual Leaders’ Summit (November 2024). Focus Areas of Defence Cooperation:

Maritime Domain Awareness & Reciprocal Information Sharing. Joint Exercises & Deployments. Science & Technology Collaboration. Defence Industry Cooperation. Engagement with Multilateral Partners. Commitment to a Stable Indo-Pacific Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific, underscoring their collective security vision. The discussions also included regional and global security issues of mutual interest.

Roadmap for Future Engagements Next Steps:

Preparations for the next 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in Australia (2025). Advancing long-term defence & security collaboration. Deepening interoperability across maritime, land, and air domains. Defence Industry & S&T Collaboration:

Both sides agreed to accelerate cooperation in defence science & technology. Defence industry collaboration opportunities were explored, urging respective agencies to fast-track joint initiatives. Defence – A Pillar of India-Australia Strategic Partnership Over the years, defence has become a crucial pillar of the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The 8th edition of the Defence Policy Talks was held in 2023.

Australian Delegation’s Visit to India:

The delegation will visit Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd., Mumbai. Australian Co-Chair to meet Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh on 18th March 2025. The 9th Defence Policy Talks reaffirm the growing India-Australia defence partnership, further strengthening bilateral security cooperation and regional stability.