India and Australia are deepening their maritime and defence partnership at a time when security, stability and cooperation across the Indo-Pacific are assuming growing strategic importance.

In an exclusive interview with The Australia Today during his official visit to Australia, India’s Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Krishna Swaminathan speaks to Pallavi Jain about the future of India-Australia maritime cooperation, the newly adopted Maritime Security Collaboration Roadmap, the importance of exercises such as MALABAR, the Indian Navy’s expanding responsibilities across the maritime domain, and opportunities for collaboration in emerging technologies, defence production and innovation.

Admiral Swaminathan describes Australia as “a natural and important maritime partner for India” and outlines how the two navies can deepen interoperability, information sharing and practical cooperation at sea. He also discusses India’s evolving maritime capabilities and its commitment to contributing to peace, security and stability across the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

Here is the exclusive interview:

Pallavi Jain: India and Australia are deepening their maritime and defence partnership in the Indo-Pacific. How important is the Indo-Pacific maritime space to India’s strategic future, and what role do you see Australia playing in it?

Admiral Krishna Swaminathan: As a maritime nation, our security and prosperity are intrinsically linked to the seas. The oceans carry trade, energy and connectivity, but also transmit the consequences of instability and disruption far beyond their points of origin. A peaceful and secure maritime environment is therefore both a strategic imperative and a shared responsibility.

Australia is a natural and important maritime partner for India. The ongoing CNS visit to Australia is an expression of the importance India accords to its maritime security partnership with Australia. Our strategic trust is increasingly translating into operational confidence at sea through the growing complexity of AUSINDEX, engagements in MALABAR and MILAN, and cooperation through IONS. The adoption of the India–Australia Maritime Security Collaboration Roadmap provides further impetus and a framework for translating this convergence into practical maritime cooperation.

We see Australia as an important and enduring maritime partner, with potential to deepen interoperability, information sharing and practical cooperation at sea, contributing together to peace, security and stability across the Indo-Pacific.

Pallavi Jain: Australia and India have recently agreed to a Joint Maritime Security Collaboration Roadmap aimed at strengthening operational coordination, information sharing and capability development. From the Indian Navy’s perspective, what are the most important practical outcomes you would like to see from this roadmap?

Admiral Krishna Swaminathan: The India–Australia Maritime Security Collaboration Roadmap gives both countries a clear framework to take maritime cooperation forward. From the Indian Navy’s perspective, the main areas would be better information sharing, closer coordination at sea and greater ability of the two navies to operate together.

Existing engagements such as AUSINDEX, MALABAR, port visits and professional exchanges already provide a strong base. The Roadmap can help make this cooperation more regular and practical, including in areas such as maritime security, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief and search and rescue.

The aim is to build a stronger and more dependable maritime partnership that contributes to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.

Pallavi Jain: The Indian Navy has taken on an increasingly important role in maritime security in the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean, including counter-piracy operations, humanitarian assistance and rescue missions. Do you see this role expanding globally, beyond its current areas of operation, in the coming decades?

Admiral Krishna Swaminathan: The Indian Navy has consistently contributed to the safety and security of the seas through anti-piracy operations, assistance to merchant ships, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief and rescue missions.

As India’s trade, economy and maritime interests grow, the Navy’s reach and responsibilities will also increase. The focus will be on having the capability, endurance and support needed to protect India’s interests over larger areas.

At the same time, cooperation with other navies will remain important. The Indian Navy will continue to contribute to the safety of the maritime commons wherever required and in accordance with international law.

Pallavi Jain: With India pursuing greater self-reliance in defence manufacturing and developing increasingly advanced naval technologies, what opportunities do you see for Australia and India to cooperate in areas such as joint technological innovation, research and development, technology transfer and defence production?

Admiral Krishna Swaminathan: India’s focus on Aatmanirbharta is aimed at building stronger indigenous defence capability while also working with trusted international partners.

India and Australia have strengths in several areas where cooperation can be explored, including autonomous systems, underwater technologies, artificial intelligence, sensors, advanced materials and other emerging maritime technologies.

There is also scope for closer interaction between industry, start-ups, research institutions and academia in both countries. In suitable areas, both sides can explore joint development, production and innovation based on mutual interest and respective national policies.

Pallavi Jain: Beyond bilateral cooperation, how important are multilateral exercises such as MALABAR in building interoperability and maritime security across the Indo-Pacific? Do you see scope for more multilateral exercises and joint operations involving India, Australia and Japan, alongside other regional partners such as South Korea, the Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia?

Admiral Krishna Swaminathan: Exercises such as MALABAR are important because they help navies understand each other better and improve their ability to work together at sea.

India already engages with many countries across the Indo-Pacific through bilateral and multilateral exercises, training, port visits and other maritime activities. Such engagements help build familiarity, trust and better coordination.

India remains open to expanding such cooperation wherever there is mutual interest. Areas such as maritime security, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief and search and rescue offer useful opportunities for wider cooperation.

Pallavi Jain: As India’s maritime interests and responsibilities continue to grow, what capabilities or strategic initiatives do you believe will be most important to ensure India can protect its interests and contribute to global security?

Admiral Krishna Swaminathan: As India’s maritime interests grow, Indian Navy will need to maintain strong capabilities across surface, subsurface and air operations, along with better awareness of activities across areas of maritime interest.

Operational reach, logistics, secure networks and new technologies will remain important. Greater use of artificial intelligence, autonomous systems and indigenous platforms will also shape future capability development.

Partnerships with other navies will be equally important. Better information sharing, training and cooperation will help India protect its maritime interests and contribute to peace and security in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

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