India and Australia held the 10th edition of Defence Policy Talks in New Delhi on Friday. The dialogue is seen as an important milestone in the evolving Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two QUAD partners. The talks build on the institutionalisation of the annual Defence Minister’s Dialogue, which reflects the growing trust between New Delhi and Canberra. The talks were held between Joint Secretary Amitabh Prasad and First Assistant Secretary Bernard Philip.Both countries welcomed the finalisation of the implementation of important arrangements and the planned inaugural Joint Staff Talks later this year. The two functionaries reviewed the progress of the current exercises taking place between the armed forces of the two nations, with a focus on the increased frequency and complexity of these wargames. The two sides also discussed deepening maritime cooperation and enhancing interoperability across all different domains, while also engaging regional partners to reinforce collective security.
Frequent training exchanges between the armed forces of the countries are vital for building trust and fostering connections between them.Defence industrial collaboration was also recognised in the meeting as a strategically important aspect of the relationship. Recent months have seen the green shoots of this component of the relationship in the form of the first Defence Industry Roundtable in Sydney (2025), Australia’s inaugural defence trade mission to India (2025), and the strategic roundtable at Raisina Dialogue in 2026.This dialogue reflects a broader trajectory in which India and Australia’s defence partnership is maturing into a cornerstone of Indo‑Pacific security. The elevation of ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2020 laid the foundation for agreements such as the Mutual Logistics Support Agreement, enabling reciprocal base access and improved operational synergy.Regular 2+2 ministerial dialogues, between the defence and foreign ministers of the two countries, have ensured alignment of policies in areas where interests overlap.These initiatives signal a transition from symbolic cooperation to a credible architecture of deterrence. India and Australia are reinforcing strategic autonomy and contributing to a free and open, rules‑based Indo‑Pacific order.
