India, Australia Forge Deeper Defence Ties, Unite Against Terror After Pahalgam Attack

India and Australia have deepened their defence partnership and affirmed a joint stance against terrorism during a high-level meeting between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles in New Delhi. The dialogue came just weeks after the terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 Indian civilians and has since reshaped the tone of India's diplomatic and security outreach.

Image Source: DefenceMinister on X

Both sides unequivocally condemned the attack, with Marles extending condolences and reaffirming Canberra’s full support for India’s counter-terror response. Rajnath Singh underscored India's sovereign right to act in self-defence against cross-border terrorism, describing New Delhi’s retaliatory actions as “measured, non-escalatory, proportionate and responsible.”

The two leaders committed to strengthening counter-terrorism collaboration, signalling growing strategic convergence between the two democracies amid rising threats across the Indo-Pacific. “I thank Australia for its clear and consistent support to India’s position,” Singh posted following the talks.

The meeting also marked the signing of the Australia-India Joint Research Project, with both ministers agreeing to broaden cooperation in defence industry, science, and emerging technologies. The initiatives will be further pursued at the third India-Australia 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue later this year in Australia.

The talks covered an expansive agenda including cyber security, maritime safety, hydrography, and regional security dynamics. Both sides emphasized the need to ensure a stable, rules-based order in the Indian Ocean and Pacific regions.

Taking place on the fifth anniversary of the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the meeting served as a review point for progress since the November 2023 2+2 dialogue. Both countries expressed satisfaction with the trajectory of bilateral engagement, noting that defence has become a central pillar of their broader strategic cooperation.

Marles, on his first visit to India since returning to office, was accorded a Tri-Services Guard of Honour and paid tribute to India’s fallen soldiers at the National War Memorial. Singh congratulated Marles on the Labour Party’s recent electoral win, setting a tone of continuity and trust between the two administrations.

The visit, positioned amid an evolving regional security landscape and India's post-Pahalgam diplomatic outreach, showed that Australia remains a key defence and strategic partner for India in maintaining peace, stability, and rule of law in the Indo-Pacific.