On October 9, 2025, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh met with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence of Australia, Mr Richard Marles, in Canberra, marking the five-year anniversary of the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening defence cooperation, which includes military exercises, maritime security, defence industry collaboration, and joint research in science and technology. Three key agreements were signed: an Agreement on Information Sharing, an MoU on Submarine Search and Rescue Cooperation, and Terms of Reference on the establishment of Joint Staff Talks. Shri Rajnath Singh reiterated India's stance against terrorism. Australian Prime Minister Mr. Anthony Albanese welcomed Shri Rajnath Singh. Shri Rajnath Singh conveyed greetings from Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. Mr. Albanese lauded India’s economic progress, particularly in Defence, cyber security, and IT. A Joint Statement was issued, underscoring the growing depth and mutual trust that define the India-Australia Defence partnership. Shri Rajnath Singh was received by Assistant Minister of Defence of Australia Mr Peter Khalil. A live air-to-air refuelling demonstration was organised onboard the KC-30A Multirole Transport and Tanker Aircraft (MRTT), refuelling an F-35 aircraft. The release ID is 2176712.
Key Entities Referenced
Raksha Mantri: Refers to the Minister of Defence of India; central to understanding the Indian government's role in the bilateral meeting.
Australia: One of the two countries involved in the bilateral meetings and strategic partnership, key to the context.
Agreement on Information Sharing: One of the key agreements signed during the meeting, a crucial outcome of the discussions.
MoU on Submarine Search & Rescue Cooperation: One of the key agreements signed during the meeting, a crucial outcome of the discussions.
Comprehensive Strategic Partnership: The India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership; provides framework for defence cooperation.
Ministry of Defence
Raksha Mantri holds Bilateral Meeting with
Australian Counterpart in Canberra
RM Urges International Community to Come
Together Against all Forms of Terrorism
Terror & Talks cannot go together, Terror & trade
cannot go together and water & blood cannot flow
together: RM
Key agreements Inked: Agreement on Information
Sharing, MoU on Submarine Search & Rescue
Cooperation and Terms of Reference on
establishment of Joint Staff Talks
Posted On: 09 OCT 2025 2:12PM by PIB Delhi
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh held a wide-ranging bilateral meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister for Defence of Australia, Mr Richard Marles, in Canberra on October 09, 2025, during his official
two-day visit to Australia. The meeting marked five years of the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic
Partnership, with both sides reaffirming their shared commitment to deepening defence cooperation across a
wide spectrum, including military exercises, maritime security, defence industry collaboration and joint
research in science and technology.
Raksha Mantri underlined the deep-rooted cultural ties and shared democratic values that underpin India-
Australia relations, noting that the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has witnessed significant expansion
in defence cooperation aligned with the overall trajectory of bilateral relations. The talks culminated in the
signing of three key agreements: an Agreement on Information Sharing, an MoU on Submarine Search and
Rescue Cooperation and Terms of Reference on the establishment of Joint Staff Talks.
During the meeting, Shri Rajnath Singh reiterated India’s stand with regards to the threat of terrorism that
Terror & Talks cannot go together, Terror & trade cannot go together and water & blood cannot flow
together. He also urged the international community to come together against all forms of terrorism.
Prime Minister of Australia, Mr. Anthony Albanese, briefly joined the meeting and extended a warm welcome
to Shri Rajnath Singh. Raksha Mantri also conveyed the greetings from Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi
and congratulated Mr. Albanese on his emphatic election victory in May 2025. Mr. Anthony Albanese lauded
India’s remarkable economic progress under the dynamic leadership of Shri Narendra Modi, particularly in
the fields of Defence, cyber security, and IT. He also commended India’s success in lifting millions out ofpoverty and expressed enthusiasm for strengthening bilateral cooperation in the coming years.
A Joint Statement was issued following the meeting, underscoring the growing depth and mutual trust that
define the India-Australia Defence partnership.
Earlier in the day, Shri Rajnath Singh was received by Assistant Minister of Defence of Australia Mr Peter
Khalil and was accorded a ceremonial stair guard welcome. As part of his engagements, a live air-to-air
refuelling demonstration was organised onboard the KC-30A Multirole Transport and Tanker Aircraft
(MRTT), refuelling an F-35 aircraft en route to Canberra. It showcased a demonstration of growing
interoperability following last year’s Implementation Arrangement on Air-to-Air Refuelling. Upon arrival at
the Australian Parliament House, Shri Rajnath Singh was accorded a traditional welcome in the presence of
Mr Richard Marles.
***
VK/SR/KB
(Release ID: 2176712)