India Australia Deepen Defence Ties with Submarine Rescue Pact
India Australia defence cooperation reached new heights as Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles signed a comprehensive submarine rescue pact in Canberra on October 9, 2025, marking a significant milestone in Indo-Pacific security collaboration. The historic agreement represents the first visit by an Indian Defence Minister to Australia since 2013, underlining the deepening strategic partnership between the two nations.
The bilateral partnership has been elevated through three key agreements signed during the inaugural Defence Ministers’ Dialogue, including an Agreement on Information Sharing, a Memorandum of Understanding on submarine rescue pact cooperation, and Terms of Reference for Joint Staff Talks. This maritime rescue agreement enables both navies to deploy rescue systems and personnel during submarine emergencies, significantly enhancing safety protocols and operational interoperability in regional waters.
Strategic Significance of Maritime Rescue Agreement
The submarine rescue pact between India and Australia addresses critical underwater safety protocols in the Indo-Pacific region, where both nations operate advanced submarine fleets. Under this bilateral agreement, both countries will coordinate rescue operations, share specialized equipment, and provide mutual assistance during submarine emergencies, strengthening regional stability through enhanced maritime domain awareness.
Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles emphasized that the maritime rescue agreement elevates bilateral cooperation from strategic alignment to practical operational engagement, enabling increased information sharing between the armed forces. The agreement complements Australia’s AUKUS partnership with the UK and US, positioning the India Australia defence collaboration as a key pillar in maintaining Indo-Pacific security.
Expanding Maritime Security Cooperation
The partnership extends beyond the rescue agreement to encompass comprehensive maritime security collaboration. India has offered to provide maintenance and repair services for Royal Australian Navy ships at Indian shipyards during their deployment in the Indian Ocean, demonstrating the practical benefits of enhanced regional cooperation.
The Joint Maritime Security Collaboration Roadmap discussed during the meeting will advance maritime cooperation between both nations, with ministers looking forward to Prime Ministers Modi and Albanese renewing and strengthening the Joint Declaration on Defence and Security Cooperation. This broader framework supports the rescue operations within a comprehensive approach to regional challenges.
Annual Defence Ministers’ Dialogue Institutionalized
A landmark outcome of the bilateral discussions was the commitment to conduct an annual Defence Ministers’ Dialogue, providing a structured framework for advancing shared priorities and deepening the rescue cooperation implementation. This institutionalization reflects the maturity of Indo-Pacific security cooperation between the two democratic nations.
The dialogue mechanism will facilitate regular coordination on joint exercises, operations, and interoperability across all domains – air, land, maritime, cyber, and space. Australia welcomed India’s participation in Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025, involving over 35,000 military personnel from 19 nations, while India welcomed Australia’s invitation to participate in the rescue exercise Black Carillon.
Defence Industry and Technology Collaboration
The partnership encompasses significant industrial cooperation, with Australia’s first defence trade mission to India taking place from October 7-10, 2025. Both nations are exploring joint research and development opportunities, advanced manufacturing capabilities, and integrated supply chains to support the maritime rescue operations and broader regional objectives.
India’s growing status as a credible defence exporter was highlighted during discussions, with both countries examining co-production opportunities in drones, surveillance systems, and naval equipment under the “Make in India” initiative. The Australia-India Defence Industry Roundtable scheduled for October 10 in Sydney will further advance these collaborative efforts supporting regional goals.
Quad Framework and Regional Impact
The submarine rescue pact strengthens the broader Quad partnership involving India, Australia, Japan, and the United States in maintaining regional stability. Ministers welcomed ongoing progress in defence cooperation among the four Quad partners and reaffirmed commitment to enhancing collaboration on maritime domain awareness.
A joint Quad activity is planned on the sidelines of Exercise Malabar in November 2025, alongside joint observation of Exercise Cope India, demonstrating how the bilateral partnership contributes to multilateral frameworks. The cooperation reflects shared democratic values and commitment to a free, open, peaceful, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.
Strategic Implications for Regional Security
The India Australia defence agreements, particularly the rescue pact, represent a strategic response to evolving regional challenges amid growing competition. Both nations reaffirmed strong support for freedom of navigation and overflight, unimpeded trade, and other lawful uses of the sea consistent with international law, particularly the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
The maritime rescue agreement and broader cooperation align with both countries’ vision of maintaining regional balance without any single nation dominating the Indo-Pacific. This partnership reinforces their shared commitment to upholding territorial integrity, protecting trade routes, and ensuring Indo-Pacific security through collaborative deterrence and diplomatic engagement.
