India-Australia Forge Deeper Defence Ties for Indo-Pacific Security
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Australian officials advance strategic partnership at Sydney roundtable, focusing on defence industry collaboration and Indo-Pacific security architecture.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Australian Assistant Defence Minister Peter Khalil at the India-Australia Defence Industry Business Round Table in Sydney
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has declared India and Australia as co-architects of Indo-Pacific security during a landmark bilateral meeting in Sydney, marking a significant evolution in the countries' strategic partnership.
Strategic Partnership Evolution
During the inaugural India-Australia Defence Industry Business Round Table, Singh met with Australia's Assistant Minister of Defence Peter Khalil to reinforce the growing strategic alliance between the two nations. The meeting highlighted the transformation of bilateral relations from mere partnership to co-creation of regional security architecture.
"We stand at a pivotal juncture to reposition our defence relations not merely as partners but as co-creators of a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific," Singh emphasized during the discussions.
Defence Industry Collaboration
India's defence sector has shown remarkable growth, with production reaching approximately USD 8 billion in the last financial year - an 18% increase from the previous period. The country's defence exports have expanded to nearly 100 nations, totaling USD 2.76 billion.
Investment Opportunities
Singh outlined several key initiatives to boost bilateral defence cooperation:
- Liberalized FDI policy allowing up to 74% investment under automatic route
- Simplified compliance mechanisms for business operations
- Opportunities for co-development of advanced defence systems
- Joint ventures for interoperable platforms
Regional Security Focus
The strengthening defence partnership comes as both nations seek to enhance their roles in Indo-Pacific security. This collaboration builds on the technological advancement in defence systems and demonstrates the growing importance of bilateral cooperation in maintaining regional stability.
The round table was attended by key officials including India's High Commissioner to Australia, Gopal Baglay, and senior military representatives from both nations, underlining the comprehensive nature of defence cooperation.
Jack Thompson
Reporter based in Sydney, Jack covers climate issues, migration policies, and Australia's Indo-Pacific strategy.