Defense Minister Rajnath Singh held a bilateral meeting with Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Shri Richard Marrels in New Delhi on Wednesday.
The two ministers strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam and expressed deep condolences to the families of the victims.
Singh highlighted India’s rights to react to self-defense against cross-border terrorism and described New Delhi’s works against Pakistan, non-hypothetical, proportional and responsible. The two sides agreed to work together to combat terrorism in all their forms.
Through a post on X after the meeting, the Defense Minister thanked Australia for his unequal support for India’s firm response against the brutal act of terror in Pahgam.
The two ministers welcomed the signature of the Australia-India Joint Research Project and agreed to faster and diversity the defense industry cooperation. He discussed to carry forward defense science and technology cooperation projects when he meets the third India-Australia 2+2 minister meeting in Australia at the end of this year. He also reviewed the progress made since the final 2+2 minister dialogue held in November 2023.
The meeting provided both sides an opportunity to review the status of bilateral busyness in terms of emerging regional and global landscapes. Discussions covered a wide range of issues such as defense strategic cooperation and security, including industry cooperation, cyber and new emerging technologies, anti-terrorism, hydrography and marine security. Both sides also exchanged ideas on regional and global security issues of mutual interest.
On the fifth anniversary of signing India-Australia’s broad strategic partnership, the two sides expressed satisfaction and believed that defense has emerged as an important pillar of cooperation. The two countries expressed satisfaction over the growing strategic convergence between the two countries and agreed to work together towards the free and open Indian Ocean and Pacific Island region.
Both sides called for strengthening bilateral defense cooperation and strengthening their commitment to achieve their shared objective of peace, prosperity, stability and progress in the Indo-Pacific sector.
Rajnath Singh congratulated Richard Marls on his re -appointment after the Labor Party’s impressive victory in the federal elections in Australia recently.
Earlier, the Australian Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Defense garlanded the National War Memorial and paid tribute to the fallen heroes.
The visiting diagnosis with the Tri-Services Guard of Honor was formally welcomed before the dialogue at the Manekshaw Center.
Mr. Marrals is on an official visit to India since 03 and 04, 2025. This is his first visit after his re -appointment as Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister, Australia.
