Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles, welcomed Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to Australia today for his first official visit under the current government.
Prime Minister Albanese said the defence partnership between Australia and India “keeps getting stronger – built on trust, shared interests and a commitment to a peaceful, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific.”
“Great to meet with the Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on his first trip to Australia for the inaugural Australia-India Defence Ministers’ Dialogue.”
The visit coincides with the fifth anniversary of the India–Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), marking a milestone in the nations’ growing defence and security cooperation.
“It’s a great pleasure to welcome Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to Australia today, the first visit to Australia by an Indian Defence Minister since 2013,” Marles said in a statement.
“Our meeting today reflects the importance of the Australia–India defence partnership. Defence and security cooperation is now one of the strongest pillars of our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.”
During their discussions, the Ministers explored ways to deepen bilateral defence collaboration, including through enhanced strategic dialogue and more complex joint exercises.
Marles noted India’s inaugural participation in Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025, the recently-signed Air-to-Air Refuelling Implementing Arrangement, and expanded maritime cooperation as examples of the growing tempo of defence engagement.
The visit will also see Australia and India sign new bilateral agreements covering submarine rescue and support, the establishment of a forum for joint staff talks between the defence forces, and enhanced cooperation in information sharing and joint maritime activities.
“The bilateral arrangements that will be signed today reflect the significant growth in our defence partnership and our shared ambition for its future,” Marles said.
Singh’s two-day visit includes bilateral discussions with Marles, engagements with senior government officials, and a business roundtable in Sydney attended by industry leaders from both nations. The deliberations are expected to open new avenues for collaboration and strengthen the enduring defence partnership.
Australia and India elevated their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2020, building on a long history of strategic, economic, and people-to-people ties. Both countries share common democratic values, robust trade links, and extensive cultural and educational exchanges. Marles last visited India in June 2025, meeting Rajnath Singh and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss further opportunities for cooperation.
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