Deputy Prime Minister Marles’ India visit reinforces Australia-India Defence partnership       

Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, the Hon Richard Marles MP, visited Delhi on 1 June for the Second Australia-India Defence Ministers’ Dialogue, reaffirming the strength of the Australia–India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. In discussions with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, both sides welcomed the progress towards realising their Prime Ministers’ commitment to renew and strengthen the Joint Declaration on Defence and Security Cooperation and to finalise a Joint Maritime Security Collaboration Roadmap. 

A joint statement issued following the dialogue highlighted the growing momentum in bilateral defence ties and our increasing strategic alignment.

During the visit, Deputy Prime Minister Marles paid tribute to India’s servicemen and women at the National War Memorial and met with External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar to discuss regional developments and the expanding Australia–India relationship.

Highlighting the strong development and people-to-people links between the two countries, Deputy Prime Minister Marles also joined cricket legend Kapil Dev at a community event hosted by NGO KHUSHII, celebrating the partnership with the Australian High Commission while highlighting the importance of mental health support for teachers and students. The visit concluded with a friendly exhibition cricket match, underscoring cricket’s enduring role in bringing Australians and Indians together.

Click here for the Joint Statement on the Second India–Australia Defence Ministers’ Dialogue
Click here for Minister Marles Opening Remarks at the Australia-India Defence Ministers' Dialogue, New Delhi

(Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence of Australia, the Hon. Richard Marles MP, received a ceremonial Guard of Honour alongside India’s Minister of Defence, Rajnath Singh, at the Manekshaw Centre, Delhi)

Strengthening Australia–India Ties and Advancing Quad Cooperation  

Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong, visited New Delhi from 25-26 May 2026 to participate in the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and the 17th Australia–India Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue, reinforcing Australia’s commitment to a strong partnership with India and a free, open and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

During the visit, Minister Wong joined her Quad counterparts to advance cooperation on regional security, economic resilience and practical initiatives across the Indo-Pacific. She also held bilateral discussions with India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr S Jaishankar, reviewing progress under the Australia–India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and identifying opportunities to deepen collaboration across trade, clean energy, critical minerals, defence and people-to-people ties.

A key highlight of the visit was Minister Wong’s meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of his visit to Australia this year. The meeting underscored the remarkable growth in Australia–India relations under the leadership of Prime Ministers Modi and Albanese.

Together, these engagements demonstrate the shared ambition of Australia and India to build a resilient & forward-looking relationship, while working with Quad partners to support stability and prosperity across the Indo-Pacific region.

Click here for the Opening Remarks at the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
Click here for the Media Statement at the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
Click here for the Opening Remarks at the Australia-India Foreign Ministers Framework Dialogue

(Foreign Ministers of the Quad gather for an official family photo at Hyderabad House, New Delhi)