New Delhi/Canberra, October 31 — Expanding their defence and security partnership, India and Australia have held a series of high-level discussions in Canberra this week, reinforcing their cooperation in military operations and counterterrorism across the Indo-Pacific.
The Army-to-Army Staff Talks, conducted from October 29 to 31, focused on enhancing interoperability in amphibious missions, unmanned systems, and joint training initiatives. The Indian Army said the meetings underscored the “mutual commitment to regional peace, stability, and security cooperation.”
The Indian delegation also visited the Royal Military College, Duntroon, and paid homage at the Australian War Memorial, acknowledging shared military heritage and partnership.
The staff-level talks followed the 15th India-Australia Joint Working Group (JWG) on Counter-Terrorism, which was held in Canberra from October 29 to 30. The session was co-chaired by Vinod Bahade, Joint Secretary (Counter-Terrorism) at India’s Ministry of External Affairs, and Gemma Huggins, Australia’s Ambassador for Counter-Terrorism.
Huggins wrote on X, “Australia and India remain committed partners in preventing and countering terrorism and violent extremism across the Indo-Pacific and beyond. We valued the strong and ongoing collaboration demonstrated at the 15th annual Australia-India Counter-Terrorism Joint Working Group.”
During the JWG, officials exchanged assessments of global and regional terrorism threats, pledging enhanced cooperation in law enforcement, judicial coordination, and maritime security. Both sides strongly condemned the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, with Australia reiterating its “support and solidarity with India.”
The discussions also addressed new challenges posed by technology-driven extremism, with both nations agreeing to improve information sharing and develop strategies to counter the online spread of radical ideologies.
India and Australia reaffirmed their continued coordination at international forums, including the United Nations, FATF, Global Counter Terrorism Forum (GCTF), ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), and QUAD, to advance global counterterrorism efforts.
The Indian delegation also met senior officials from Australia’s Federal Police Counter Terrorism Unit, National Emergency Management Agency, and Maritime Border Command, reviewing crisis response and operational coordination frameworks.
Both countries agreed to convene the next JWG meeting in New Delhi, continuing what both sides described as a “deepening strategic partnership built on trust and shared regional priorities.”
