India and Australia Forge New Maritime Security Roadmap

India and Australia concluded the 10th Australia-India Defence Policy Talks in New Delhi on May 8, 2026. Led by Joint Secretary Amitabh Prasad for India and First Assistant Secretary Bernard Philip for Australia, the delegations focused on deepening military interoperability and strategic convergence in the Indo-Pacific.

Key outcomes include the development of a Joint Maritime Security Collaboration Roadmap and plans to renew the Joint Declaration on Defence and Security Cooperation. The two nations also scheduled the first Australia-India Joint Staff Talks to take place later this year. These agreements build upon the 2024 Annual Leaders' Summit and the inaugural Defence Ministers' Dialogue held in October 2025, during which Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited Canberra.

Both countries highlighted increased military synergy, specifically noting India's 2025 participation in Exercise Talisman Sabre and Exercise Puk Puk. Future cooperation will include participation in Exercise Milan and Exercise Kakadu. The talks also emphasized defence industrial collaboration following strategic roundtables in Sydney and New Delhi.

This strategic alignment occurs as Australia seeks to expand its military capabilities and partnerships in response to China's military assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region.