InternationalThursday, 9 July 2026·The Hindu - International
India-Australia defence declaration 2026: Indo-Pacific maritime security, interoperability and defence industry ties
India and Australia adopted a new Joint Declaration on Defence and Security Cooperation on July 9, 2026 to deepen military, maritime and industrial ties in the Indo-Pacific.
Key highlights
Direct fact
On July 9, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese adopted a new Joint Declaration on Defence and Security Cooperation to deepen India-Australia ties in the Indo-Pacific.
Key specifics
- The declaration calls for regular consultations on defence developments in the Indo-Pacific affecting shared interests.
- It seeks greater interoperability, information sharing and more complex bilateral and multilateral military exercises.
- The two sides will expand aircraft deployments from each other’s territories and increase personnel exchanges through education, training and liaison appointments.
- India and Australia will implement an India-Australia Maritime Security Collaboration Roadmap for the Indian Ocean and the wider Indo-Pacific.
- The declaration builds on the 2009 India-Australia Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation and refers to UNCLOS 1982, IORA, ASEAN-led architecture and the Pacific Islands Forum.
Exam lens
Question type: International relations match-the-following, India-Australia ties, 2009 and 2026 declarations, UNCLOS 1982, IORA and ASEAN-led architecture. TNPSC may ask which agreement strengthened maritime security, defence industry cooperation and interoperability in the Indo-Pacific.