(source : ANI) ( Photo Credit : ani)
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Sydney on October 10 to tour the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) flagship base, HM Kuttabul, in Potts Point. The visit was part of a growing defence partnership between India and Australia aimed at strengthening security in the Indo‑Pacific.
### Quick tour of the navy’s hub
Singh was welcomed by Australian Defence Minister Peter Khalil. At the base, the Indian minister learned about the RAN’s operational capabilities and infrastructure. He joined a water tour of Fleet Base East and headed out on a harbour cruise, giving him an inside look at Australia’s maritime readiness.
HM Kuttabul acts as the central administrative, training, logistics and accommodation centre for the RAN’s east‑coast forces. The base supports sailors stationed across Sydney and underlines Australia’s strong focus on naval preparedness.
### Deepening India‑Australia defence ties
That same Thursday, Singh and Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles took part in the first India‑Australia Defence Ministers Dialogue held in Sydney. The meeting highlighted the momentum of the bilateral defence partnership and the shared goal of a stable Indo‑Pacific.
In a joint statement, both ministers pledged to expand cooperation across all domains—maritime, air, land, cyber and space. Key highlights included:
* Launch of a Joint Maritime Security Collaboration Roadmap.
* Institutionalisation of an annual Defence Ministers Dialogue.
* Signing of the Australia‑India Implementing Arrangement on Mutual Submarine Rescue Support.
* Progress on the 2024 Air‑to‑Air Refuelling Agreement and stronger information sharing.
Both sides also discussed the growing scope of joint military exercises. Australia welcomed India’s first participation in Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 and plans for further joint drills like Exercise Tarang Shakti and a naval exercise with a new Indian flag. India, meanwhile, welcomed Australia’s invitation to join the submarine rescue exercise Black Carillon.
### Building people‑to‑people links
The dialogue also set the stage for deeper defence education ties. Starting in 2026, more Indian officers will train at the Australian Defence College, and an Indian cadet will, for the first time, study at the Australian Defence Force Academy in 2027.
### Boosting defence industry collaboration
Both ministers underscored the importance of defence trade. They welcomed the first Australian Defence Trade Mission to India and the upcoming Defence Industry Roundtable in Sydney. A Joint Working Group on Defence Industry, Research and Materiel will advance cooperation in high‑tech areas such as missile defence, unmanned systems and special operations.
### Supporting regional stability
Australia thanked India for offering its maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities to RAN ships deployed in the Indian Ocean. The countries agreed to strengthen maritime capabilities across the region.
The pair reaffirmed their vision for a free, open, peaceful and prosperous Indo‑Pacific governed by international law—including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. They also welcomed ongoing trilateral cooperation with Indonesia and progress under the Quad framework, which includes Australia, India, Japan and the United States.
Both ministers expressed satisfaction with growing army engagements, such as Exercise Puk Puk and Exercise Austrahind, and pledged to deepen ties in emerging fields like missile defence and uncrewed systems.
Deputy Prime Minister Marles invited India to participate in future iterations of Operation Render Safe, while Rajnath Singh opened the door for Richard Marles to visit India in 2025 to host the next Annual Defence Ministers Dialogue. ()
Source: aninews
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