‘Terror and talks can’t go together’: Rajnath in Canberra as India, Australia seal three defence deals

India and Australia have signed three key agreements pertaining to Information Sharing, Submarine Search and Rescue Cooperation and Terms of Reference on the establishment of Joint Staff Talks. The agreements and Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) were signed during Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s official visit to Canberra, Australia, today.

Singh held a wide-ranging bilateral meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence of Australia, Richard Marles. The meeting marked five years of the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with both sides reaffirming their shared commitment to deepening defence cooperation across a wide spectrum, including military exercises, maritime security, defence industry collaboration and joint research in science and technology.

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In a statement issued here, the Ministry of Defence stated that Singh underlined the deep-rooted cultural ties and shared democratic values that underpin India-Australia relations, noting that the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has witnessed significant expansion in defence cooperation aligned with the overall trajectory of bilateral relations.

Reiterating India’s stand with regard to the threat of terrorism, the defence minister said, “Terror and talks cannot go together, terror and trade cannot go together and water and blood cannot flow together.” He also urged the international community to come together against all forms of terrorism.

Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister of Australia, lauded India’s remarkable economic progress, particularly in the fields of Defence, cybersecurity, and IT. He also commended India’s success in lifting millions out of poverty and expressed enthusiasm for strengthening bilateral cooperation in the coming years.

A Joint Statement was issued following the meeting, underscoring the growing depth and mutual trust that define the India-Australia Defence partnership.

Earlier in the day, Singh was received by Assistant Minister of Defence of Australia Peter Khalil and was accorded a ceremonial stair guard welcome. As part of his engagements, a live air-to-air refuelling demonstration was organised onboard the KC-30A Multi-role Transport and Tanker Aircraft (MRTT), refuelling an F-35 aircraft en route to Canberra. It showcased a demonstration of growing interoperability following last year’s Implementation Arrangement on Air-to-Air Refuelling.