Australian Dy PM Marles to visit India for defence dialogue with Singh

Australian Deputy PM Richard Marles will travel to India for the 2nd Australia-India Defence Ministers' Dialogue with Rajnath Singh. The visit aims to enhance the bilateral defence partnership and cooperation, particularly in the Indo-Pacific.

Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles will travel to India, where he will meet with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh for the 2nd Australia-India Defence Ministers' Dialogue, a statement by the Australian Defence Ministry said. First held in Australia last October, this meeting reflects unprecedented progress in the bilateral defence partnership and a shared ambition to enhance cooperation.

Marles to Attend Shangri-La Dialogue

Before his India visit, Marles will travel to Singapore this week to attend the 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue, as per the statement.

Convened by the International Institute for Strategic Studies, the annual Shangri-La Dialogue is the region's pre-eminent defence and security forum. It brings together leaders from across the Indo-Pacific and the world to discuss shared international security challenges and responses.

During the Dialogue, the Deputy Prime Minister will address regional maritime security issues during the third plenary session on Asia's Maritime Security Disorder. He will also meet with a range of global and regional defence counterparts, the statement said.

Strengthening Bilateral Defence Partnership

"We remain committed to deepening diplomatic and defence relationships to strengthen cooperation, particularly in the Indo-Pacific," Marles said.

"Australia and India are top-tier security partners. I look forward meeting with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to further strengthen our defence partnership following the strong progress we made during his visit to Australia last year," the statement quoted him as saying.

Earlier on October 9, 2025, Marles welcomed Singh to Australia for the inaugural Australia-India Defence Ministers' Dialogue. The dialogue reflected unprecedented progress in the bilateral defence partnership and Ministers' ambition to enhance cooperation, following the four bilateral meetings between the Ministers since the elevation of the Australia-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2020.

Ministers advanced their Prime Ministers' long-term vision for collaboration between the two countries to enhance collective strength, contribute to both countries' security, and make an important contribution to regional peace and security, the statement read. (ANI)

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