On October 9, 2025, a significant milestone in Indo-Pacific security was reached as Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Australian counterpart Richard Marles signed a landmark bilateral security deal in Melbourne. This agreement, hailed by both nations as a step forward in regional stability, marks the first visit by an Indian defence minister to Australia since 2013, signaling a renewed commitment to deepening ties between the two democracies.
According to the Associated Press, the new security pact includes the establishment of a forum for joint staff talks between the Indian and Australian militaries, as well as formal cooperation on submarine rescue operations. These practical measures are designed to foster closer operational ties and ensure both countries are better prepared to address maritime emergencies—a growing concern in the increasingly contested waters of the Indo-Pacific.
Richard Marles, Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, underscored the significance of the agreement, stating, “Australia and India are top-tier security partners and our defense cooperation delivers practical effects to uphold Indo-Pacific stability.” In remarks made before the signing, Marles added, “The bilateral arrangements that will be signed today reflect the significant growth in our defense partnership and our shared ambition for its future.”
The timing of the deal is no coincidence. The Indo-Pacific region has become a focal point for strategic competition, with China’s growing assertiveness prompting neighboring countries to bolster their defense partnerships. India and Australia, both wary of unilateral moves that could threaten their interests, have found common ground in seeking a stable, rules-based order in the region.
One of the clearest signs of deepening defense ties came earlier this year, when India participated for the first time in the biennial Talisman Sabre multinational military exercises in Australia. These exercises, which began in 2005 as a joint venture between the United States and Australia, have grown to include more than 35,000 military personnel from 19 nations. India’s inclusion in 2025 was seen by many analysts as a watershed moment, demonstrating its willingness to engage more actively with regional partners on security matters.
“Closer defense relations became evident in July when India for the first time participated in the biennial Talisman Sabre multination military exercises in Australia,” noted the Associated Press. The exercises are designed to test joint operational capabilities and improve interoperability among allied and partner forces—a key consideration as countries in the region look to present a united front against potential threats.
Beyond bilateral ties, India and Australia are also key members of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or Quad, alongside the United States and Japan. The Quad has emerged as a prominent forum for coordinating policy and security initiatives in the Indo-Pacific, particularly on issues such as maritime security, disaster relief, and counterterrorism. In July 2025, the foreign ministers of the four countries met in Washington, agreeing to expand their cooperation on maritime security—a move widely interpreted as a response to China’s growing naval presence.
Raji Rajagopalan, a senior fellow at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, emphasized the symbolic and practical importance of Singh’s visit to Australia. “There is a lot of historical hesitancy that continues to influence how far India wants to get close to the U.S. But India is also pragmatic in recognizing that if China is India’s number one national security problem, it (India) also needs to work with the U.S. to manage the China problem,” Rajagopalan told the Associated Press. She added, “If India is sensitive about U.S.-India relations and getting close to the U.S. as a security partner, I think multilateralism and Quad also offer India some sort of a middle path in a sense. So India is not just working with the U.S., but working also with other partners; with Japan, with Australia, with France and other countries. It does give India a little bit more maneuverability in terms of strategic spacing and managing relationships.”
This nuanced approach reflects India’s longstanding tradition of strategic autonomy, even as it seeks closer ties with like-minded democracies. By engaging in both bilateral and multilateral forums, India aims to maximize its options and avoid overdependence on any single partner, while still contributing to the collective security architecture of the region.
Australia, for its part, has been actively building security relationships with its Pacific neighbors. Just days before the deal with India, Australia signed a defense treaty with Papua New Guinea on October 6, 2025, which will integrate the two nations’ defenses. According to the Associated Press, this treaty is Australia’s only alliance-level security pact outside of the ANZUS Treaty, which was signed with the United States and New Zealand in 1951. The move underscores Canberra’s determination to strengthen its network of security partnerships amid a rapidly changing strategic landscape.
These developments come at a time when the Indo-Pacific is experiencing a surge in both military activity and diplomatic engagement. The region’s sea lanes are vital for global trade, and the stakes for maintaining freedom of navigation and overflight are high. The new India-Australia security deal, with its focus on practical cooperation and joint planning, is widely seen as a concrete step toward ensuring that the region remains open, stable, and resilient in the face of emerging challenges.
While the agreement does not constitute a formal alliance, its provisions for joint staff talks and submarine rescue cooperation are expected to lay the groundwork for even deeper collaboration in the years ahead. Analysts suggest that such initiatives not only build trust and familiarity between the two militaries but also send a clear signal to other regional actors about the seriousness of their commitment to upholding the rules-based order.
As the Indo-Pacific continues to evolve, the strategic partnership between India and Australia is likely to play an increasingly important role. Both countries bring unique strengths to the table—India’s vast military and growing economic clout, and Australia’s strategic geography and longstanding alliances. Together, they are helping to shape a future in which regional stability is underpinned by cooperation, rather than competition or coercion.
The events of October 2025 will be remembered not just as a diplomatic milestone, but as a turning point in the way India and Australia approach their shared security challenges. With the ink barely dry on their new agreement, both nations have signaled their intent to work together for a safer, more secure Indo-Pacific—one joint exercise, and one handshake, at a time.
