India and Australia have taken a decisive leap in their defence partnership, sealing a series of landmark agreements and laying out a roadmap for deeper collaboration across military, technological, and industrial domains. Over October 9 and 10, 2025, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s official visit to Australia—his first in twelve years—signaled a pivotal moment in the two countries’ relationship, as both nations strive to shape a secure, free, and resilient Indo-Pacific amid mounting regional challenges.
The centrepiece of Singh’s visit was the signing of three military pacts, including a memorandum of understanding on submarine research, a pact on information sharing and rescue cooperation, and terms of reference for establishing joint staff talks between the two armed forces. According to The Economic Times, these agreements are designed to institutionalize operational cooperation, streamline intelligence sharing, and foster joint military activities. The move marks the fifth anniversary of the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership—a relationship that has grown increasingly vital as both countries seek to counterbalance China’s expanding maritime presence.
Singh’s meetings with Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and Foreign Minister Penny Wong underscored the diplomatic heft of the visit. Both sides carried forward their leaders’ long-term vision, discussing a joint maritime security roadmap and anticipating the renewal of their joint declaration on defence and security cooperation. As The Hindu reported, the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to upholding a free, open, peaceful, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific, emphasizing freedom of navigation, unimpeded trade, and adherence to international law—particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
At the heart of the new agreements lies an enhanced mutual maritime security framework. This framework aims to boost situational awareness of critical sea lanes, enable coordinated patrols, and ensure quicker joint responses to regional threats. The practical impact is significant: the 2020 Mutual Logistics Support Arrangement (MLSA) already allows reciprocal access to each country’s military bases for logistics support, including refueling and maintenance—crucial for joint naval operations across the Indo-Pacific. Singh’s visit included demonstrations of this operational integration, such as witnessing the refueling of Australian F-35 aircraft, a vivid symbol of deepening ties.
Strategic context looms large over these developments. Both India and Australia, as key players in the Quad grouping (alongside the US and Japan), are responding to what BBC described as China’s "maritime assertiveness"—an effort to alter the status quo in the South China Sea and project power across the Indo-Pacific. The new agreements and partnerships are not merely symbolic; they represent a shift towards practical, operational cooperation, aimed at reassuring regional partners and contributing to maritime domain awareness and crisis response.
Defence industry collaboration is another major pillar of the renewed partnership. Singh, addressing the inaugural India-Australia Defence Industry Business Roundtable in Sydney, invited Australian businesses to join forces with India on advanced platforms and technologies. He emphasized opportunities for co-development and co-production in naval vessels, propulsion technologies, autonomous underwater vehicles, flight simulators, and advanced materials. "I invite the Australian business community to invest, collaborate, and innovate with India. Together, we can develop cutting-edge technologies, build advanced platforms, and ensure that our industries are not just suppliers, but strategic enablers of peace and security in the region," Singh said, as reported by The Economic Times.
Singh also welcomed Australia’s proposal for a reciprocal provision of defence articles and services memorandum of understanding, which would facilitate the exchange of supplies and services between the two countries’ defence forces. He noted, "Importantly, Australia has identified India as a top tier partner, removing certain regulatory barriers to enable easier technology sharing. This is a testament to the trust and confidence that bind us." The invitation to Australian firms extends to shipbuilding, maintenance, and refit services for the Royal Australian Navy and vessels under Australia’s Pacific Maritime Security Programme, leveraging India’s robust shipbuilding capabilities and growing ecosystem of private-sector innovators.
Technological cooperation is already underway, with India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Australia’s Defence Science & Technology Group collaborating on naval sensors to detect underwater threats, including advanced towed array sonar systems. Discussions are also progressing in quantum technology, artificial intelligence (AI), cyber security, information warfare, and other advanced science and technology domains. Singh highlighted joint research and development in autonomous systems and green shipbuilding technologies as promising frontiers for cooperation, telling the roundtable, "Such ventures could contribute to building interoperable platforms aligned with the strategic objectives of both countries."
Military exercises further cement operational integration. India and Australia regularly conduct AUSINDEX naval exercises, and in 2025, India participated in Talisman Sabre—Australia’s flagship multinational drill that included over 35,000 troops from 19 nations. These exercises, as detailed by The Hindu, enhance interoperability in areas like anti-submarine warfare and air defence, increasing the complexity and scope of combined operations. The frequency and sophistication of these drills reflect a maturing defence relationship, moving beyond dialogue to real-world preparedness.
Political and diplomatic undertones were unmistakable throughout the visit. Singh’s ceremonial welcome at the Australian Parliament and high-level engagements signaled the growing weight of the partnership. India expressed gratitude for Australia’s steadfast support on cross-border terrorism and shared commitment to regional stability, reaffirming mutual interests in counterterrorism and peace. The agreements and ongoing dialogue underscore a shared vision of resilient regional architecture, anchored in trust, operational readiness, and a commitment to multilateralism without bloc politics.
Both governments are keen to frame their partnership as not just economically beneficial, but strategically transformative. Singh underlined that initiatives such as 'Make in India', 'Production Linked Incentive' schemes, and digital transformation have created an enabling environment for innovation and investment. He described the current moment as a "defining moment," with the convergence of strategic interests, energetic industries, and visionary leadership giving India and Australia a unique opportunity to shape the future together.
As the Indo-Pacific faces escalating strategic competition, the India-Australia defence partnership stands as a model of how like-minded democracies can respond—through practical cooperation, technological innovation, and a shared commitment to a rules-based order. The agreements signed and the vision articulated during Singh’s visit are not just milestones; they are building blocks for a more secure, connected, and resilient region.