Australian Defence Minister Backs India on Terrorism
Visiting Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi and reaffirmed Australia’s strong support for India’s efforts to combat cross-border terrorism.
Prime Minister Modi congratulated Marles on the Australian Labor Party’s recent electoral victory and extended an invitation to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for the upcoming Annual Summit in India later this year.
“Glad to meet Deputy Prime Minister of Australia Richard Marles. Had a productive discussion on deepening the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which marks its fifth anniversary today. Our shared vision for a stable, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific continues to guide our collaboration,” Prime Minister Modi posted on X following the meeting.
The two leaders reviewed progress under the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and exchanged ideas to strengthen bilateral cooperation in areas such as defence industry collaboration, resilient supply chains, critical minerals, and emerging technologies. They also reaffirmed their commitment to a stable and secure Indo-Pacific.
Earlier, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held bilateral talks with Marles. Both leaders strongly condemned the recent terror attack in Pahalgam and expressed condolences to the victims’ families. Singh highlighted India’s right to respond in self-defence, describing the country’s actions as “measured, non-escalatory, proportionate and responsible.”
“Reviewed the full range of the India-Australia defence partnership during the extremely fruitful meeting with Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles in New Delhi. His personal commitment and leadership in strengthening bilateral defence cooperation has emerged as an important pillar of our Comprehensive Strategic partnership. India thanks Australia for its unequivocal support to India’s resolute response against the barbaric act of terror in Pahalgam,” Singh posted on X.
The two ministers welcomed the signing of a new Australia-India Joint Research Project and agreed to expand defence industry collaboration. They also discussed advancing defence science and technology cooperation, with plans to further these discussions during the third India-Australia 2+2 Ministerial Meeting to be held in Australia later this year.
Topics reviewed included strategic and regional security cooperation, cyber security, maritime security, counter-terrorism, hydrography, and other mutual concerns in light of shifting global dynamics. The meeting allowed both sides to evaluate the status of bilateral engagements and chart a path forward.
Marking the fifth anniversary of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, both sides acknowledged defence as a key pillar of the India-Australia relationship and expressed satisfaction with the growing momentum in cooperation.
