New Delhi, June 4, 2025 — In a significant diplomatic engagement, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence of Australia, Hon. Richard Marles, called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. The meeting took place on a day of special significance, as India and Australia marked five years of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP).
🔹 Key Highlights from the Meeting:
PM Modi congratulates Marles:
Prime Minister Modi congratulated Deputy PM Marles for the Australian Labor Party’s historic victory in the recent Federal elections. He appreciated Australia’s democratic success and leadership.
The meeting coincided with the 5th anniversary of the India–Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, a milestone that highlights growing collaboration between the two nations.
Discussion on strengthening ties:
Both leaders discussed ways to further deepen the strategic partnership, especially in defence cooperation, economic resilience, and emerging technologies.
Focus on key sectors of collaboration:
Defence industrial collaboration
Resilient and secure supply chains
Critical minerals and resources
Emerging technologies and innovation
Shared Indo-Pacific Vision:
PM Modi and DPM Marles reaffirmed their shared commitment to a stable, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. They emphasized the importance of multilateral cooperation and rules-based order in the region.
Australia’s stand on terrorism:
Deputy PM Marles expressed Australia’s continued support for India in its fight against cross-border terrorism, reaffirming solidarity on global security issues.
Invitation to Australian PM:
PM Modi also extended an official invitation to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to attend the Annual Summit to be held in India later this year.
🔍 Context & Significance:
This meeting reflects the evolving dynamics of India-Australia relations, especially as the Indo-Pacific region becomes central to global diplomacy. With both countries committed to democracy, free trade, and regional peace, the CSP has become a cornerstone of bilateral cooperation.
India and Australia have collaborated across a range of sectors:
Bilateral defence exercises (AUSINDEX, Malabar)
Clean energy transition
Education and skill development
People-to-people ties via student and migrant exchange
With geopolitical shifts and shared values, both leaders emphasized the need for deeper, actionable cooperation in coming years.