India, Australia Deepen Defence Partnership with New Joint Declaration

New Delhi, Jul 9 (KNN) India and Australia have adopted a Joint Declaration on Defence and Security Cooperation, committing to deepen their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership through enhanced defence collaboration, maritime security, defence industry cooperation and regional security initiatives.

The declaration commits both countries to expand defence cooperation through greater strategic dialogue, enhanced interoperability, increased complexity of military exercises, expanded aircraft deployments, personnel exchanges, education and training, and consultations on Indo-Pacific security developments.

Both sides also agreed to strengthen maritime security cooperation through an India-Australia Maritime Security Collaboration Roadmap and enhance collaboration in defence industries, supply chain resilience, defence innovation, science and technology.

The two countries committed to closer cooperation on cyber security, critical and emerging technologies, counter-terrorism, countering violent extremism, information sharing, migration and mobility, transnational organised crime, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR), and disaster response coordination.

The declaration reaffirmed support for a free, open, peaceful and rules-based Indo-Pacific, adherence to international law and UNCLOS, and cooperation through regional mechanisms including the Quad, ASEAN, the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF).

It also reaffirmed cooperation on resilient supply chains, critical minerals, clean energy technologies, nuclear non-proliferation, and expanded engagement with partners including the United States and Japan.

(KNN Bureau)