India & Australia agree to combat terrorism in all forms

Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh held a bilateral meeting with Australian Deputy Prime Minister & Minister for Defence Richard Marles in New Delhi. Both Ministers strongly condemned the terror attack in Pahalgam and expressed deepest condolences to the families of the victims. Raksha Mantri highlighted India’s right to respond in self-defence against cross-border terrorism and described New Delhi’s actions against Pakistan as measured, non-escalatory, proportionate and responsible. The two sides agreed to work together to combat terrorism in all its forms.

Through a post on X after the meeting, Raksha Mantri thanked Australia for its unequivocal support to India’s resolute response against the barbaric act of terror in Pahalgam.

The two Ministers welcomed the signing of the Australia-India Joint Research Project and agreed to intensify & diversify defence industry collaboration. They deliberated to further the defence science and technology collaboration projects when they meet in Australia later this year for the third India-Australia 2+2 ministerial meeting. They also reviewed the progress made since the last 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue held in November 2023.

The meeting offered an opportunity for both sides to review the status of bilateral engagements in the context of emerging regional and global scenarios. The discussions covered a wide range of issues such as defence strategic cooperation and security, including industry collaboration, cyber & new emerging technologies, counter-terrorism, hydrography and maritime security. The two sides also exchanged views on regional and global security issues of mutual interest.

On the fifth anniversary of signing the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, both sides expressed satisfaction and recognised that defence has emerged as an important pillar of the collaboration. Both countries expressed satisfaction at the growing strategic convergence between the two countries and agreed to work together towards a free and open Indian Ocean and Pacific Island region.

Both sides called for the continued strengthening of bilateral defence cooperation and their commitment to achieving their shared objective of peace, prosperity, stability and progress in the Indo-Pacific region.