India and Australia join hands to collaborate in the development of defense equipment.

 

Defense forms a fundamental pillar of the partnership between India and Australia.

NEW DELHI - India and Australia have taken the decision to explore ways to enhance their partnership in co-developing and co-producing defense equipment.

The 8th India-Australia Defence Policy Talks (DPT) took place in Canberra, Australia on 24-25 July, with co-chairing by Nivedita Shukla Verma, Special Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, and Steven Moore, Acting Deputy Secretary in the Department of Defence of Australia.

During the talks, both sides assessed the progress of their bilateral defense cooperation and sought out new initiatives to further strengthen and deepen their defense engagements.

The commitment to fully implement the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, based on mutual trust, common interests, and shared values of democracy and rule of law, was reaffirmed by both countries.

The Indian delegation highlighted the potential of India's defense industry to collaborate with the Australian armed forces in their shipbuilding and maintenance plans, as mentioned in an official press note.

Since June 2020, India and Australia have shared a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with defense being a key element of this alliance.

At the ministerial level, the two countries have a 2+2 mechanism, and the DPT reviewed the outcomes of the first 2+2 meeting held in September 2021. Both sides expressed their agreement on promptly finalizing a hydrography agreement.

Furthermore, discussions were held on the geopolitical situation, as well as regional and global issues of mutual interest during the talks.