Under a new joint defence and security declaration, India and Australia pledged to intensify military exercises, technology sharing and maritime cooperation. The pact also includes expanded personnel exchanges and joint recruitment of skilled defence staff.
New defence declaration signed on July 9, 2026, marks a decisive step to deepen Indo‑Pacific cooperation amid growing strategic uncertainty. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the roadmap during a joint press conference in Melbourne, outlining a broad set of initiatives to elevate bilateral defence ties.
Key Pillars and Strategic Weight
The declaration calls for regular defence‑related consultations, more complex bilateral and multilateral exercises, and accelerated efforts to improve interoperability and information sharing between the armed forces. Both sides will also deploy aircraft from each other's territories and implement an India‑Australia Maritime Security Collaboration Roadmap to enhance coordination across the Indian Ocean and wider Indo‑Pacific.
Personnel Exchanges and Skills Development
Education, training and liaison appointments are earmarked for deeper personnel exchanges. The two nations will explore joint recruitment programmes to attract skilled professionals for their defence workforces, boosting technical expertise and operational resilience on both sides.
Defence Industry and Technological Cooperation
To strengthen defence industrial integration, India and Australia pledged to build resilient supply chains, expand collaboration in defence innovation, and share advanced science‑technology know‑how. This is expected to stimulate domestic production, reduce reliance on third‑party sources, and position both industries competitively on the global stage.
Regional Stability and International Law
Both leaders stressed peaceful dispute resolution, the rejection of force or coercion, and strict adherence to international law, reaffirming commitment to a free, open, and prosperous Indo‑Pacific anchored in the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). They also reiterated support for regional bodies such as the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), ASEAN‑led frameworks, and the Pacific Islands Forum.
Building on the 2009 India‑Australia Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation, this latest agreement adds new layers of institutional engagement, including the 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial Dialogue, to address emerging security challenges and ensure a coordinated response to future geopolitical shifts.
