India, Australia set to deepen defence ties at ministers’ dialogue in Delhi
CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 09: The Indian and Australian flags on the table during the Indian Defence Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh his first official visit to Australia on October 09, 2025 in Canberra, Australia. Australia's parliament convened for sittings as a number of pressing issues come to the fore, from inflation and cost of living domestically to Australia's relationship with its allies in the region and beyond internationally. (Photo by Hilary Wardhaugh/Getty Images)
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles will co-chair the second India-Australia Defence Ministers’ Dialogue in New Delhi on June 1, with discussions set to focus on expanding strategic and defence cooperation between the two countries.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the dialogue will review progress in bilateral defence ties and explore new avenues for collaboration. Key areas on the agenda include strengthening defence and security cooperation, enhancing military interoperability, boosting defence industry partnerships, and exploring co-development and co-production opportunities. The two sides will also exchange views on regional and global security developments of mutual interest.
The meeting is expected to further deepen strategic trust, strengthen defence relations and contribute to peace, stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region. Officials said the dialogue will also help identify new areas of cooperation in the defence and security sectors.
Marles’ visit comes after the inaugural India-Australia Defence Ministers’ Dialogue held in Australia in October 2025 and reflects the growing momentum in the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two nations.
Australia is regarded as a key partner in India’s vision of a free, open, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific, with both countries continuing to expand cooperation across strategic, economic and security domains. The visit is expected to further reinforce the depth and maturity of the India-Australia defence partnership.
