India and Australia discussed cooperation priorities, including maritime domain awareness, mutual information sharing, industry and science and technology collaboration and joint exercises and exchanges, including deployments from each other’s territories, during the ninth edition of India-Australia defence policy talks held on Monday.
The Indian delegation, headed by joint secretary Amitabh Prasad, and the Australian side, led by first assistant secretary, international policy division, the country's department of defence Bernard Philip, exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.
Both sides welcomed sustained progress in bilateral defence cooperation, including the increased frequency and complexity of defence exercises and exchanges.
“The meeting reviewed defence outcomes of second ministerial foreign and defence ministers’ 2+2 in November 2023, inter-sessional 2+2 consultations at secretary-level in October 2024 and the second annual leaders’ summit in November 2024,” the defence ministry stated in a release.
India and Australia agreed on priorities and preparations for the next 2+2 ministerial dialogue to be held in Australia later this year.
Both countries also explored the possibilities of defence industry collaboration and agreed to further deepen cooperation and interoperability across maritime, land and air domains, including working with multilateral partners.
As part of the visit, the Australian delegation will visit Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd in Mumbai. The Australian co-chair will call on defence secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh on Tuesday.