Marking a fresh milestone in Indo-Pacific defence ties, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s visit to Australia brought together ceremony and strategy — blending symbolic warmth with a clear push for deeper military cooperation between the two nations.
Landing in Canberra on October 9, Singh received a ceremonial welcome capped by a traditional Aboriginal “Welcome to Country” smoke ceremony at Australia’s Parliament House, a gesture underlining shared respect and heritage. Earlier in Sydney, he boarded a Royal Australian Air Force KC-30A aircraft to witness a live mid-air refuelling of an F-35 fighter jet, a rare glimpse into Australia’s advanced air operations, and a testament to growing operational trust.
The main highlight of his visit was a high-level dialogue with Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles. During this meeting, both sides reviewed the evolving regional security landscape and sought new paths for collaboration, from joint exercises and intelligence exchange to defence manufacturing and maritime cooperation.
Three new agreements are in the pipeline, covering information sharing, submarine rescue coordination, and future joint operations. Singh, reaffirming India’s goal of defence self-reliance, also invited Australian companies to partner in co-production and technology transfer under India’s expanding defence ecosystem.
Singh told delegates at a defence industry roundtable in Sydney that India views Australia not merely as a strategic partner but as a trusted defence collaborator in the Indo-Pacific. S
As naval drills grow bolder and defence collaborations deepen, India and Australia’s partnership is moving well beyond ceremonial gestures, evolving into a trusted, long-term alliance shaping a secure Indo-Pacific futur.
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