India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles inked the India Australia submarine cooperation deal in Canberra on Thursday, October 9, 2025. The agreement includes the India Australia mutual submarine rescue pact. It aims to enhance maritime security and operational interoperability. This occurred during the inaugural Australia-India Defence Ministers’ Dialogue. The pact responds to shared concerns over Indo-Pacific stability.
The India Australia submarine cooperation deal holds profound significance for South Asia. It bolsters India’s naval presence in the Indian Ocean. Australia gains logistical support for its AUKUS submarines. Together, they counterbalance assertive powers through Quad alliances. This strengthens regional deterrence and trade routes vital for South Asian economies.
Details of the India Australia Submarine Cooperation Deal
Defence ministers Rajnath Singh and Richard Marles met in Canberra. They signed three key pacts. The core is the India Australia mutual submarine rescue pact. It allows navies to aid each other in submarine emergencies. This Implementing Arrangement on Mutual Submarine Rescue Support and Cooperation ensures rapid response capabilities.
Australia hosts nuclear-powered submarines under AUKUS. These will base in Western Australia. India offers maintenance and repair services for Royal Australian Navy ships in Indian yards. This cuts costs and boosts efficiency during Indian Ocean deployments.
Ministers discussed broader defence ties. They established Joint Staff Talks. This forum advances exercises and interoperability. Information sharing will deepen. A new Agreement on Information Sharing covers classified military data.
Richard Marles stated the pacts reflect growth in the partnership. He said: “The bilateral arrangements that will be signed today reflect the significant growth in our defence partnership and our shared ambition for its future.” The India Australia submarine cooperation deal builds on the 2020 Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Five years on, it expands across domains. Maritime security leads the focus.
The India Australia Mutual Submarine Rescue Pact in Focus
The India Australia mutual submarine rescue pact stands out. Navies can deploy rescue systems mutually. This includes deep-sea operations and personnel recovery. India invited Australia to its Black Carillon exercise. Australia reciprocates with invitations to Talisman Sabre.
Both forces conduct anti-submarine warfare drills. Maritime patrol aircraft collaborate in the Indian Ocean. This enhances domain awareness. Aircraft deployments from each other’s bases build familiarity. Rajnath Singh emphasised shared values. He noted cultural ties and democratic principles underpin the ties. The pact aligns with joint research in technology.
Broader Implications of the India Australia Submarine Cooperation Deal
The dialogue covered all defence domains. Land, air, sea, and space feature prominently. Army-to-army ties grow. Exercises like Austrahind expand in scope. Amphibious operations and missile defence exchanges follow.
Air forces integrate further. The 2024 Air-to-Air Refuelling Arrangement operationalises soon. A demonstration occurred on October 9. An Australian KC-30A refuelled an F-35 mid-flight. Quad cooperation advances. Australia, India, Japan, and the US deepen maritime surveillance. A second activity occurs at Malabar in November 2025. Australia and Japan observe Cope India.
Trilateral formats thrive. Australia-India-Indonesia addresses challenges. Indian Naval Ship Kadmatt visited Fiji and Papua New Guinea in September 2025. Defence industry links strengthen. Australia’s trade mission visits India from October 7 to 10. An India Pavilion featured at Land Forces Expo 2024. A roundtable convenes in Sydney on October 10.
Australia thanked India for ship overhaul offers. The Joint Working Group on Defence Industry pursues tech collaboration. Rajnath Singh addressed terrorism. He said: “Terror & Talks cannot go together, Terror & trade cannot go together and water & blood cannot flow together.” He urged global unity against it.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joined briefly. He praised India’s progress under Narendra Modi. Albanese highlighted defence, cybersecurity, and poverty reduction. Singh congratulated Albanese on his May 2025 election win. The India Australia submarine cooperation deal elevates ties. It marks Singh’s first visit since 2013.
Background
The Australia-India partnership dates to 2020. It upgraded to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Quad membership drives alignment. AUKUS adds layers. Both nations prioritise a free Indo-Pacific.
Past milestones include logistics support arrangements. Exercises like Malabar foster trust. The 2023 2+2 Dialogue set maritime roadmaps. This dialogue launches annual meetings. It operationalises visions from prime ministerial declarations.
What’s Next
Future steps include reciprocal visits. Marles travels to India in 2026 for the next dialogue. India joins Talisman Sabre in 2025 and 2027.
Navy engagements occur in 2026. More Indian students attend Australian Defence College in 2026. A spot opens at Defence Force Academy in 2027. The India Australia mutual submarine rescue pact enables joint drills. Industry roundtables continue. Quad activities expand surveillance.
Prime ministers will renew the Joint Declaration on Defence Cooperation. This sustains momentum in the India Australia submarine cooperation deal. The India Australia submarine cooperation deal promises enduring security gains. It fortifies alliances against emerging threats.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, October 9th, 2025
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