In a landmark move to bolster Indo-Pacific stability, Australian and Indian defense ministers inked a comprehensive bilateral security agreement on Thursday. This marks the first visit of an Indian defense minister to Australia since 2013, as highlighted by Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles. The pact includes the establishment of a joint staff forum and submarine rescue cooperation, reflecting the deepening defense partnership between the two nations. Marles emphasized the practical impact of this collaboration in maintaining regional stability. The growing ties were further evidenced by India’s inaugural participation in the multinational Talisman Sabre military exercises in Australia this July. These exercises, which began in 2005 as a U.S.-Australia initiative, this year involved over 35,000 personnel from 19 countries. Both nations are also part of the Quad alliance, alongside the United States and Japan, which focuses on enhancing maritime security in the Indo-Pacific. Raji Rajagopalan, a senior fellow at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, noted the symbolic and practical significance of the visit, underscoring India’s strategic balancing act between China and the U.S. in the region. Additionally, Australia has been fortifying its security relationships with South Pacific neighbors, recently signing a defense treaty with Papua New Guinea, its second alliance-level security pact after the ANZUS Treaty.
India and Australia sign a security deal that includes military talks and submarine cooperation
