Rajnath Singh highlights growing India-Australia strategic partnership at Defence Industry Round Table in Sydney

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has emphasized the expanding depth of the India-Australia relationship, evolving from a long-standing friendship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership based on shared democratic values, mutual trust, and cross-sector cooperation, reports 24brussels.

Speaking at the India-Australia Defence Industry Round Table in Sydney, which he co-chaired with Australia’s Assistant Minister for Defence, Peter Khalil MP, Singh noted that the bilateral relationship has significantly advanced in recent years due to consistent high-level engagements and growing strategic alignment.

Since transitioning to a comprehensive partnership in 2020, the relationship has been fortified by key engagements, including the India-Australia Summit in November 2024 and the 2+2 Dialogue in October 2024, alongside reciprocal visits by both nations’ Defence Ministers. Singh highlighted three critical pillars supporting the India-Australia partnership: strong government-to-government collaboration, active people-to-people connections, and an expanding range of business and industrial partnerships.

Singh pointed out the significance of over one million individuals of Indian origin residing in Australia, indicating that these human connections, combined with increasing trade and technological cooperation, are instrumental to the bilateral relationship. However, he acknowledged that defence industrial collaboration based on joint research, co-production, and innovation still presents substantial untapped potential.

“India and Australia are natural partners, and this collaboration is both strategically significant and economically beneficial,” Singh stated. He outlined that India’s strengths in software, advanced manufacturing, and technology, when combined with Australia’s research and innovation ecosystem, create an optimal platform for jointly developing future defence solutions.

Describing the Round Table as a “catalyst for unlocking unrealised potential,” Singh noted that India’s swift economic and industrial transformation is unveiling new avenues for international cooperation. He encouraged Australian companies to engage with Indian businesses to co-produce high-end products.

“India welcomes Australian companies to partner with the Indian industry to co-develop and co-produce high-end systems, including propulsion technologies, autonomous underwater vehicles, flight simulators, and advanced materials. Joint ventures can help build interoperable platforms aligned with the strategic objectives of both our nations,” he added.

Singh highlighted India’s status as the world’s fourth-largest economy and the fastest-growing major economy, with a resilience that has maintained steady growth amid global challenges. He reported that for 2023-24, India’s defence production reached ₹1.51 lakh crore (USD 18 billion), an 18% increase from the previous year, while defence exports achieved a record high of ₹23,600 crore (USD 2.7 billion).

Key reforms such as Make in India, Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes, and liberalized foreign direct investment policies were emphasized by Singh, revealing that the defence sector is now open to up to 74% foreign investment through the automatic route. These initiatives have positioned India as one of the most attractive locations for defence manufacturing and research and development.

The Round Table saw participation from key figures including India’s High Commissioner to Australia, Gopal Baglay; Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, AVSM, NM, from the Indian Navy; and Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, AVSM, VM, VSM, from the Indian Air Force, along with senior officials and industry representatives from both countries.