India, Australia to ink 3 defence cooperation pacts during Rajnath Singh’s visit to Canberra

India and Australia are set to sign three agreements to enhance cooperation in the areas of information sharing, the maritime domain, and joint activities during Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s visit to Canberra later this week, the Defence Ministry said on Sunday.

Singh will be on a two-day official visit to Australia from October 9 to 10 at the invitation of Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles.

"The visit comes at a historic moment when India and Australia commemorate five years of establishment of India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP)," the defence ministry said.

During the visit, Singh will hold bilateral discussions with Marles and chair a business roundtable in Sydney, which will see participation from industry leaders of both countries.

He is also scheduled to call on other national leaders in Australia.

“The visit will provide an important opportunity for both sides to explore new & meaningful initiatives to further strengthen the bilateral relationship and the defence partnership,” the ministry said.

India and Australia are also expected to carry out a detailed review of the current situation in the Indo-Pacific amid growing global concerns over China's increasing military muscle-flexing in the region.

Defence cooperation between India and Australia has expanded in recent years to include regular military exchanges, high-level visits, capacity-building programmes, maritime collaboration, and bilateral exercises.

Singh's trip to Australia will mark the first-ever visit of a defence minister to Australia under the Modi government since 2014.

India and Australia elevated their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2020, building on a Strategic Partnership established in 2009.

The two nations share a deep bond rooted in common values - pluralistic, Westminster-style democracies, Commonwealth traditions, growing economic engagement and increasing high-level interactions, the ministry said.

"Long-standing people-to-people connections, the presence of Indian students in Australian universities as well as robust tourism and sporting ties have further strengthened the enduring partnership between the two countries," it said.

Marles last visited India in June 2025 and held talks with Singh, besides calling on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.