Australia and India have continued to deepen their military relationship with the 13th round of Army-to-Army Staff Talks in New Delhi, bringing senior military officials together for discussions on strengthening defence cooperation and expanding engagement between the two armies.
The three-day talks were held from September 28 to 30 and focused on areas of mutual interest between the Indian Army and Australian Army. According to the Indian Army’s Additional Directorate General of Public Information, the discussions reaffirmed the partnership and mutual trust that have developed between the two forces.
The latest engagement comes as Canberra and New Delhi continue to broaden defence cooperation across military exercises, professional exchanges, information sharing and operational engagement. The two countries have been increasing the frequency and complexity of their activities as both sides work towards greater interoperability across their defence forces.
During their visit to India, members of the Australian delegation also travelled to the Centre for Land Warfare Studies in New Delhi. The officers held discussions there on contemporary security issues, providing an opportunity to exchange perspectives on developments affecting the wider strategic environment.
The delegation also visited the National War Memorial in New Delhi, where members paid tribute to soldiers who lost their lives in service. The visit formed part of the Australian delegation’s broader programme during the Army Staff Talks.
The Army-level discussions form part of a much wider expansion in Australia-India defence engagement. In June, Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles and Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held the second India-Australia Defence Ministers’ Dialogue and welcomed growing cooperation between their armed forces.
That dialogue covered a range of initiatives, including maritime security cooperation, information sharing, defence industry collaboration and military exercises. The ministers also welcomed growing engagement between the armies, navies and air forces of both countries and looked ahead to enhanced Indian participation in Exercise Talisman Sabre 2027.
The broader relationship was further elevated during the third Australia-India Annual Summit in Melbourne in July, when Prime Ministers Anthony Albanese and Narendra Modi issued a Joint Declaration on Defence and Security Cooperation. The declaration committed both countries to stronger strategic coordination, more complex defence exercises and greater interoperability between their forces.
The two governments have also placed greater emphasis on maritime security, with plans for cooperation covering information sharing, capability development, capacity building and operational coordination. The Annual Summit statement also highlighted the importance of defence industry, research and materiel cooperation between Australia and India.
Military exercises have become an important part of this expanding relationship. Australian and Indian forces have participated in activities involving land, maritime and air capabilities, while both countries have continued to explore opportunities for personnel and aircraft deployments from each other’s territories.
The two countries are also working to strengthen defence industrial links. In June, their defence ministers agreed to begin developing a memorandum covering the provision of defence articles and defence services, while also supporting further cooperation in defence research, technology and industry.
For the two armies, the latest Staff Talks provide another channel for regular military-to-military communication at a time when Australia and India are expanding their broader strategic partnership. The discussions in New Delhi add to a growing network of senior-level dialogues, training activities, exercises and institutional exchanges.
The latest talks therefore represent another step in the continuing expansion of Australia-India defence engagement, with both countries building more regular contact between their armed forces while developing cooperation across a wider range of security and defence activities in the Indo-Pacific.
