New Delhi, October 5 (HS): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will undertake a four-day official visit to Australia from October 7 to 10, marking the first visit by an Indian Defence Minister to the country in nearly twelve years. The last such visit was by then Defence Minister A.K. Antony in 2013.The visit aims to reinforce defence ties and deepen the strategic partnership between India and Australia.
Both nations elevated their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2020 and subsequently signed a Mutual Logistics Support Agreement in 2021, enabling greater interoperability and collaboration. Since then, bilateral defence cooperation has expanded across multiple domains.
Australia’s Defence Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles was among the first foreign dignitaries to visit India after “Operation Sindoor” in May this year. During his June 4 visit, both sides discussed diversifying cooperation in defence technology, artificial intelligence, and maritime capabilities.
During those talks, India is understood to have conveyed its concerns to Australia over any potential military engagement with Pakistan, given Islamabad’s proximity to Beijing. Later, in an interview with the Australian media, Marles clarified that Australia maintains only minimal defence relations with Pakistan.
Marles, highlighting the warmth between the two nations, began his India visit with a symbolic gesture — sipping tea at a local shop on Malcha Marg in New Delhi to embrace Indian tradition. During his meeting with Rajnath Singh, he expressed gratitude toward Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, stating that the bilateral relationship had reached “an entirely new level.”
He added, “We believe our strategic alignment with India has never been stronger. This is a time to work closely with friends, and India is unquestionably our top priority in that regard.”
Rajnath Singh’s upcoming visit is expected to further enhance cooperation in co-production, advanced defence technologies, and emerging domains such as artificial intelligence and maritime security as both nations strengthen their Indo-Pacific collaboration.
Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
