India and Australia have signed a landmark defence pact to enhance military cooperation, joint exercises, and intelligence sharing, marking a major milestone in their strategic partnership.

This historic agreement aims to strengthen maritime security, boost interoperability between the armed forces, and promote peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

The pact, described as “hugely significant” by defence officials, covers areas such as mutual logistics support, cyber security collaboration, defence technology transfer, and coordinated naval patrols in key maritime zones. Both nations emphasized the importance of ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific amid rising global tensions and regional security challenges.

Under the new framework, India and Australia will expand their military training programs, conduct more frequent joint exercises, and facilitate the exchange of defence personnel. This cooperation will also include the sharing of intelligence and surveillance data to counter emerging threats in the maritime domain.

The agreement builds on years of growing defence and strategic engagement between New Delhi and Canberra, following their participation in the QUAD alliance alongside the United States and Japan. It underscores both nations’ commitment to regional security, counter-terrorism, and the protection of sea lanes crucial for international trade.

Australian Defence Minister termed the agreement as a “major step toward deepening mutual trust and operational coordination,” while Indian Defence Minister highlighted its role in “enhancing preparedness and joint response capabilities.”

This pact marks a significant evolution in India-Australia relations, transforming them from strategic partners into close defence collaborators focused on a stable, secure, and resilient Indo-Pacific future.