India and Australia have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in cyber security, critical technologies and resilient supply chains, as officials from both countries discuss the implementation of their new bilateral partnership.
Amit Shukla, Joint Secretary for Cyber Diplomacy at India’s Ministry of External Affairs, held a meeting with Jessica Hunter, Australia’s Ambassador for Cyber Affairs and Critical Technology, during his visit to Australia.
The officials discussed the longstanding India-Australia partnership in cyber and critical technologies and exchanged ideas on operationalising the Australia-India Partnership on Cyber, Critical Technologies and Supply Chains (PACTS).
Shukla also participated in an AI masterclass organised by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) in Canberra, joining a panel examining artificial intelligence adoption across the Indo-Pacific.
The PACTS framework was launched on 9 July 2026 in Melbourne by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the third Australia-India Annual Summit.
The partnership succeeds and replaces the 2020 Framework Arrangement on Cyber and Cyber Enabled Critical Technology Cooperation, expanding bilateral cooperation to address emerging digital, economic and national security challenges.
Under PACTS, Australia and India aim to strengthen national and regional security, provide partners with greater digital choices, improve the resilience of critical supply chains and contribute to global cyber resilience.
The framework focuses on safety, security, resilience and inclusivity, while promoting shared democratic values and responsible technology development.
The two countries see cyber security, critical technologies and supply chains as increasingly important to economic growth, national security and the ability to shape global technology standards and norms.
The new partnership brings these areas under a broader strategic framework, with cooperation organised around five key pillars designed to deepen practical collaboration across the Indo-Pacific.
The latest discussions in Canberra come as India and Australia continue to expand their broader Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with technology, cyber security and supply-chain resilience emerging as important areas of bilateral cooperation.
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