India and Australia Strengthen Maritime Security with Historic Submarine Rescue Agreement

Australia's Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles meets India's Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh.

Sydney:

Australia and India have signed a significant agreement on mutual submarine rescue during their inaugural annual defence ministers' dialogue in Canberra, marking a substantial advancement in their maritime security partnership. The joint statement highlights their commitment to enhancing defence industrial cooperation.

On Thursday, Indian Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh made a historic visit to Australia, the first by an Indian defence minister in over a decade, signifying the growing strategic relationship between the two nations.

Following the high-level meeting, Australia released a statement confirming both countries' intention to pursue collaboration in defence technology. Additionally, India has extended an offer to maintain and repair Royal Australian Navy vessels at Indian shipyards during their deployment in the Indian Ocean region.

In his opening remarks, Defence Minister Richard Marles emphasized that the two defence forces would enhance information sharing practices. "All of that is taking our high-level strategic alignment and taking this to a much deeper operational level," Marles stated according to the official transcript.

The ministerial dialogue also acknowledged significant progress in defence cooperation within the broader framework involving Australia, India, Japan, and the United States.

Both Australia and India are key members of the Quad security group, which also includes the United States and Japan. This alliance is widely recognized as providing a strategic counterbalance to China's growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region.

As part of its strategic military enhancement, Australia will acquire nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS defence partnership with Britain and the United States. These submarines will be based in Western Australia, strategically positioned on the northeastern edge of the Indian Ocean.