India and Australia, on Friday (May 8, 2026), took their military ties forward with the 10th Defence Policy Talks, reaffirming the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations and reviewing developments in multiple domains of cooperation.
The Indian delegation in the meeting held in New Delhi was led by Joint Secretary Amitabh Prasad, and the Australian side was headed by First Assistant Secretary for International Policy Bernard Philip.
“The discussions reaffirmed the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Both sides welcomed the recent advancements in bilateral defence cooperation,” an Indian Ministry of Defence statement said.
“The establishment of the annual India-Australia Defence Ministers’ Dialogue in 2025 has enhanced consultation and reflected the growing trust between the two countries,” it said.
The two sides acknowledged the recent finalisation of key implementing arrangements and continued high momentum of first-time milestones. They looked forward to holding the first India-Australia Joint Staff Talks later this year.
The co-chairs reviewed the implementation of outcomes from the 2024 India-Australia Annual Leaders’ Summit to renew and strengthen the Joint Declaration on Defence & Security Cooperation, and develop a Joint Maritime Security Collaboration Roadmap.
Both sides welcomed the increased frequency and complexity of joint exercises. They expressed commitment to deepen maritime cooperation and looked forward to continued collaboration between the two countries, enhancing strategic ties, and fostering a shared commitment to regional stability.
India and Australia agreed on the next steps to deepen interoperability across all domains. Reaffirming their Defence Ministers’ ambitions, they agreed to continue enhancing cooperation with regional partners.
Both nations discussed various training exchanges that have taken place, such as the General Bipin Rawat Memorial Young Officers Exchange Programme and the visits between the Indian Military Academy and the Royal Military College, Duntroon.
“Such training exchanges build mutual trust, people-to-people connections, and sharing of each other’s regional and global perspectives,” the statement said.
The two sides acknowledged the strategic importance of defence industrial collaboration and engagement. They welcomed efforts to facilitate defence industry integration, including the first India-Australia Defence Industry Roundtable in Sydney in 2025, Australia’s first defence trade mission to India in 2025, and the defence industry strategic roundtable at Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi in 2026.