In a strong reaffirmation of its commitment to India, Australia has described New Delhi as a “top-tier defence and security partner,” signalling a new chapter in the growing strategic partnership between the two democracies.
Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles emphasized that India is central to Australia’s long-term defence planning, especially as both nations navigate evolving challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.
Marles, during his official visit to New Delhi, highlighted the importance of joint military exercises, defence technology collaboration, and intelligence sharing in building stronger interoperability between the two armed forces. “India is at the top of our list when it comes to trusted partners in defence and security,” he said.
The statement comes as India and Australia steadily expand their military engagement through initiatives such as the AUSTRAHIND joint exercise, defence industry cooperation, cyber and maritime security projects, and officer training exchanges.
Defence analysts note that the alignment reflects a shared vision of a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific, where both nations are increasingly working in tandem to deter emerging threats. The relationship has also gained momentum under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2020), which laid the foundation for greater military and industrial cooperation.
With both sides reaffirming their intent to strengthen coordination, observers believe that India-Australia defence ties are set to play a decisive role in shaping the region’s security architecture in the years ahead.
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