NEW DELHI, June 2 (ANI) — External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with visiting Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles on Monday to discuss regional developments, the Indo-Pacific region, and the further advancement of the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The high-level meeting focused on strengthening strategic cooperation and reviewing shared security interests across the region.
“A pleasure to meet Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles of Australia today. Shared assessments on regional developments, Indo-Pacific and further advancement of our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” Jaishankar said in a post on X following the meeting.
Earlier in the day, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and Marles co-chaired the second India-Australia Defense Ministers’ Dialogue at New Delhi’s Manekshaw Centre, where they discussed ways to deepen bilateral defense cooperation.
According to India’s Ministry of Defence, the two leaders reviewed progress in defense collaboration and explored new opportunities to strengthen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
“The leaders reviewed the progress of bilateral defence cooperation and discussed new opportunities to further advance the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Earlier, Mr. Marles was accorded a Ceremonial Tri-Service Guard of Honour upon his arrival,” the ministry said.
The ministry noted that both countries reaffirmed their commitment to expanding defense engagement, enhancing strategic trust, and promoting peace, stability, and security throughout the Indo-Pacific region.
Reflecting on the discussions, Rajnath Singh said the meeting had been productive and forward-looking.
“Had an excellent meeting with Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Mr. Richard Marles in New Delhi. Together we reviewed the full range of bilateral defence cooperation and discussed ways and means to enhance it further,” Singh wrote on X.
“The India-Australia Defence Partnership is poised to make steady progress in the years to come,” he added.
Marles emphasized the importance of translating the strong strategic trust between India and Australia into practical defense cooperation.
“This week, we held the second annual Australia-India Defence Ministers’ Dialogue, where Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh and I spoke about turning our deep strategic trust into practical defence cooperation. Peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific rely on us working closely with our partners. Thank you to Minister Singh for hosting me,” Marles said in a post on X.
The Ministry of Defence noted that Marles’ visit follows the inaugural dialogue held in Australia in October 2025 and reflects the growing momentum of the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
“Australia is a key partner in India’s vision of a free, open, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific. The visit underscores the growing depth and maturity of the India-Australia defence partnership,” the ministry said. (ANI)
About The Author
