India and Australia have taken significant steps to enhance their defence collaboration, signing three important agreements during a meeting between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Australian counterpart Richard Marles in Canberra. This meeting marks the first visit by an Indian defence minister to Australia since the NDA government took office in 2014.

The agreements focus on sharing classified information, mutual submarine search and rescue cooperation, and establishing joint staff talks. Both nations are also working on a joint maritime security collaboration roadmap and a new long-term defence and security cooperation framework to replace the 2009 joint declaration.

This development comes amid shifting dynamics in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly with the US showing less commitment to its previous strategies to counter China. Singh and Marles emphasized the importance of cooperation among the Quad countries—India, Australia, the US, and Japan—highlighting their shared concerns over China's assertiveness in the region.

During the discussions, Marles referred to China as “the biggest security anxiety” for both countries. Singh reiterated the need for a free, open, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific, supporting freedom of navigation and trade in the region. The ministers also expressed their commitment to enhancing maritime domain awareness ahead of the upcoming Malabar naval exercise.

Singh noted the ongoing progress in defence cooperation among the Quad nations and discussed the potential for deeper defence industry partnerships. He thanked Australia for its support against cross-border terrorism and emphasized that “terror and talks cannot go together.”

In addition to the agreements signed, India and Australia have operationalized an air-to-air refuelling pact, with Singh witnessing a live demonstration on a KC-30A multi-role transport and tanker aircraft, which refuelled an F-35 fighter jet en route to Canberra. This collaboration reflects both countries' commitment to strengthening their strategic partnership in the face of regional challenges.