Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Australian PM Anthony Albanese at the India-Australia Annual Summit in Melbourne, on Thursday
| Photo Credit:
Hollie Adams
Building upon the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) established in 2020, India and Australia on Thursday agreed for a broader policy framework — an ‘MoU for the provision of defence articles and defence services,’ designed to streamline and shape ways the two nations will buy, sell, share, and maintain military equipment and specialised technical services.This is part of a string of announcements at the Third India-Australia Annual Summit in Melbourne, led by Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Anthony Albanese, with New Delhi appears to be looking to elevate its defence ties with Australia in some domains to match its engagements with other major developed nations. PM Modi is currently on a two-day official visit to Australia, which began on July 8.Bilateral innovationBoth the nations have decided to explore a bilateral innovation framework to connect respective ecosystems and accelerate collaboration among governments, industry, academia, and research institutions for promoting R&D based solutions for advanced capability solutions. The initiative reflects similar arrangements India has had with US, France and South Korea.The two Prime Ministers “welcomed the ongoing work to develop a memorandum of understanding for the provision of defence articles and defence services, and efforts to promote connections between Australian and Indian defence industries, including through Australia’s first defence trade mission to India and the Australia-India Defence Industry Roundtable,” read a joint statement issued after the Summit.Aircraft deploymentsThey have inked reciprocal agreement for ‘expanding aircraft deployments from each other’s territories’ which India has formalised with other countries, like US, Russia, France, and Japan, for mutual support of military logistics to facilitate parking and refueling, among others.In their committed to the Joint Declaration on Defence and Security Co-operation and strengthening of the Maritime Security Collaboration Roadmap, the two countries aim at establishing a robust blueprint for regional stability and defense modernisation.Reacting to developments, Arun Ramchandani, President SIDM, told businessline that PM Modi’s current visit to Australia has resulted in one of the most substantial upgrades in India–Australia strategic ties since the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. “The geopolitical dynamic security and economic uncertainties has steered nations world over to reboot and relook at their security and commercial strategies and policies. While the visit produced 18 agreements and initiatives, the defence and security outcomes are particularly significant from a Maritime security and Defence Industry & Startup perspective, said Arun Ramchandani.Key areasThe two, as per the joint statement, have identified four areas for strengthening comprehensive defence cooperation, and deepening strategic dialogue. They are for: (a) undertaking to consult on defence-related developments in the Indo-Pacific that affect shared interests; (b) increasing the complexity of our defence exercises, including with partners; (c) accelerating efforts to build interoperability and information sharing between defence forces; and (d) expanding aircraft deployments from each other’s territories.The joint statement noted “with concern geostrategic uncertainty, and threats to regional peace and stability,” an indication at China’s maritime dominance attempts.“We encourage all parties to work together peacefully and call for the resolution of disputes without the threat or use of force or coercion and in accordance with international law,” it emphasised reiterating a rules-based architecture in the Indo-Pacific region based on adherence to international law; respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.The Prime Ministers said they look forward to the placement of a visiting military instructor from India at the Australian Defence College in 2028-2029, acknowledging ongoing efforts to strengthen cooperation on professional military education.Published on July 9, 2026
