Indian Defence Minister Visits Australia

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, the Hon Richard Marles MP, will today welcome the Indian Defence Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh, to Australia for his first official visit.

Australia and India are top-tier security partners and our defence cooperation delivers practical effects to uphold Indo-Pacific stability. The Ministers will discuss next steps to deepen our defence partnership, including though enhancing strategic dialogue and increasing the complexity of our exercises.

Following the meeting, Australia and India will sign new bilateral arrangements to take our defence relationship forward. This will include cooperation on submarine rescue and support, and establishing a forum for joint staff talks between our defence forces.

Quotes attributable to the Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Richard Marles MP:

“It’s a great pleasure to welcome Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to Australia today, the first visit to Australia by an Indian Defence Minister since 2013. Our meeting today reflects the importance of the Australia–India defence partnership. 

“Defence and security cooperation is now one of the strongest pillars of our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. We see an increasing tempo of defence engagement, including through India’s inaugural participation in Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025, our recently-signed Air-to-Air Refuelling Implementing Arrangement, and deepening cooperation in the maritime domain.

“The bilateral arrangements that will be signed today reflect the significant growth in our defence partnership and our shared ambition for its future.” 

Media can access imagery/vision at http://images.defence.gov.au/S20252928