2025 AUSTRALIA INDIA DEFENCE CONCLAVE – FROM CONCEPTS TO CAPABILITIES
Australian and Indian Defence experts have convened in Canberra for a high-level conclave designed to turn political intent into practical next steps for stronger defence ties and collaboration.
The 2025 Australia India Defence Conclave – From Concepts to Capabilities: Next Steps for the Defence Relationship, hosted by the Australia India Institute at Parliament House, came during Indian Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh’s two-day bilateral visit to Australia – the first visit by an Indian Defence Minister to Australia under the Modi government since 2014.
Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, The Hon. Richard Marles MP, said the scope of Australia’s defence relationship with India was unprecedented.
“Our bilateral defence engagement is seeing deepened cooperation and interoperability to the benefit of both our countries; in support of a peaceful, stable and prosperous region.”
Supported by the Department of Defence, the inaugural Conclave aims to translate a shared vision for the Indo-Pacific into tangible defence capabilities, building upon work contained in the Institute’s capstone report: ‘Building a Resilient Australia India Defence Relationship’.
“This Conclave reflects our Institute’s enduring commitment to supporting frank, evidence-based discussions on how both countries can realise the full potential of their partnership,” said Australia India Institute CEO Lisa Singh.
“Through these discussions, we hope to inspire policy makers and practitioners to ensure we are contributing to a peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.”
Invited experts from defence operations, strategic and economic policy, industry, and academia tested ideas against regional concerns and real-world contingencies to develop concrete policy recommendations.
Key areas of bilateral interest addressed during the sessions include: maritime cooperation and security challenges; strategic coordination in multilateral and regional forums; defence technology and industrial cooperation; secure connectivity and infrastructure; and strengthening regional governance.
The Conclave’s program included:
- Keynote Address delivered by Australian Assistant Minister for Defence Peter Khalil MP
- Lunch with delegates co-hosted by Australian Special Envoy for Indian Ocean Affairs Tim Watts MP and Australian Special Envoy for Defence, Veteran’s Affairs and Northern Australia Luke Gosling OAM MP
For more information go to: https://aii.unimelb.edu.au/australia-india-defence-conclave/
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