India’s High Commissioner to Australia, Nagesh Singh, has outlined the growing depth of the India-Australia relationship during an address to the Australian Institute of International Affairs (AIIA) in Canberra, focusing on the partnership’s expanding role across the Indo-Pacific.
Singh addressed the AIIA ACT Branch on 22 September at the AIIA National Conference Centre in Deakin as part of an event titled “India Australia: A consequential partnership in the Indo-Pacific”. The session was conducted as a hybrid event, allowing participants to attend both in person and online.
The discussion examined the development of the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the areas in which both countries are seeking to deepen cooperation. The AIIA described the relationship as being on an accelerated path, with growing strategic convergence and shared interests in the stability and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific.
According to the AIIA, cooperation between the two countries now extends across a broad range of sectors, including trade and investment, defence and security, critical minerals, technology, cyber security, space, clean energy and people-to-people connections.
The event followed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Australia in July 2026 for the third India-Australia Annual Leaders’ Summit. The summit in Melbourne resulted in commitments to further strengthen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and expand cooperation across economic, security, technology, energy and people-to-people areas.
The July summit also reflected the increasingly broad nature of bilateral engagement. Australia and India have been working to expand collaboration beyond traditional diplomatic and economic ties, with critical technologies, critical minerals, cyber security and clean energy becoming increasingly important areas of cooperation.
During his Canberra address, Singh discussed different aspects of the bilateral relationship and its future direction. He also responded to questions from members of the audience, addressing challenges and opportunities for India and Australia to work together on regional and global issues. The High Commission of India said the discussion covered the enduring bilateral relationship and the way forward for the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The strategic dimension of the relationship has also expanded significantly. In July, India and Australia issued a renewed Joint Declaration on Defence and Security Cooperation, reaffirming their commitment to an open, peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific and noting the growing strategic convergence between the two countries.
Economic cooperation remains another important component of the partnership. The Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement, which entered into force in 2022, has provided a framework for expanding trade and economic links, while both governments continue to identify new opportunities for investment and collaboration.
People-to-people connections also remain an important part of the relationship, supported by Australia’s large Indian community and growing links in education, skills, business and cultural exchange. These connections provide a broader foundation for the strategic relationship beyond government-to-government engagement.
The AIIA discussion offered an opportunity for an Australian audience to hear directly from India’s senior diplomatic representative about the priorities shaping the partnership. It also provided a forum for questions about how the two countries can coordinate their interests as the Indo-Pacific becomes an increasingly important focus of regional and international affairs.
For India and Australia, the next phase of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership will involve translating the growing political alignment into practical cooperation across trade, defence, technology, critical minerals, clean energy, cyber security and other emerging areas.
Singh’s Canberra engagement comes at a time when both countries are continuing to broaden their cooperation while working through the opportunities and challenges associated with a rapidly changing Indo-Pacific. The AIIA event provided another platform for dialogue on how India and Australia can strengthen their partnership and contribute to regional stability and prosperity.
