India, Australia Launch PACTS To Deepen Cyber, Tech And Supply Chain Ties

New Delhi, Jul 9 (KNN) India and Australia have elevated their bilateral cooperation on cyber, critical technologies and supply chains under a new 'Australia-India Partnership on Cyber, Critical Technologies and Supply Chains' (PACTS), which succeeds and replaces the 2020 Framework Arrangement on Cyber and Cyber Enabled Critical Technology Cooperation.

Building on their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the two countries aim to deepen cooperation in security, digital ecosystems and supply chain resilience, while promoting inclusive and secure global cyber frameworks.

Five Pillars of Cooperation

PACTS is structured around five interrelated pillars. The first, on supply chain resilience and diversification, includes developing a bilateral mechanism for trusted vendor frameworks, cooperation on undersea cable connectivity through the Quad Partnership for Cable Connectivity and Resilience, collaboration between research institutes on protecting semiconductor supply chains, and coordinated investment and regulatory alignment on critical minerals supply chains.

The second pillar, on critical technology, covers artificial intelligence, space technologies, telecommunications, biotechnology and advanced materials, and includes efforts to advance international standards for trustworthy and secure AI, refocus bilateral research and investment partnerships, and explore joint commercial and government-led space sector initiatives.

The third pillar, on cybersecurity, includes establishing a consolidated bilateral mechanism in cyber and ICT fields, strengthening cooperation in UN-mandated cyber processes, increasing trade and investment opportunities between Australian and Indian cybersecurity businesses, and creating a cyber tech skill incubator hub.

The fourth pillar, on digital resilience, focuses on scaling India's Digital Public Infrastructure principles and solutions across the Indo-Pacific in areas including clean energy, connectivity, health, social protection and education, through joint pilot projects and capacity-building initiatives.

The fifth pillar, on defence research collaboration, includes strengthening dialogue through the Defence Ministers' Dialogue, Defence Policy Talks and the Joint Working Group on Defence Industry, Research and Materiel, building institutional connections between Australia's Defence Science and Technology Group and India's Defence Research and Development Organisation, and focusing collaboration on maritime science and technology capabilities.

Governance Structure

The governance framework will be co-chaired by senior officials from the Australia’s Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and India’s Deputy National Security Advisor, supported by an annual review mechanism to track implementation and emerging risks. 

Implementation will be led by key agencies including the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS), Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Ministry of Defence, alongside Australia’s cyber and defence institutions.

(KNN Bureau)