This week in Australian Foreign Affairs, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles announced Australia and India will strengthen cooperation on defence and security, the Department of Defence awarded $6.2 million to three Australian-based companies and more.
On 9 July, the Third Australia–India Annual Summit Joint Statement was held in Melbourne. The meeting between the Prime Minister of Australia the Honourable Anthony Albanese MP, the Honourable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi visited Australia involved series of discussions and commitments to their shared commitment to further consolidate and expand the India–Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) to respond to emerging challenges in a rapidly evolving global environment. Topics included deepening defence and maritime security cooperation, economic security and prosperity, driving energy, climate, space and technology collaboration, strengthening education, skills and people-to-people links as well as promoting a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific. The Prime Ministers expressed satisfaction at the progress of bilateral engagements and affirmed their commitment to chart the next phase of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for mutual benefit as well as for a free, open, rules-based, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
On 9 July, the Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese and the Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, in a joint media release, announced that Australia and India will strengthen cooperation on defence and security to support our shared vision for a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi of the Republic of India met in Melbourne today and announced a series of outcomes to elevate our ambitious defence and security cooperation. The Prime Ministers issued the Joint Declaration on Defence and Security Cooperation to deepen Australia and India’s practical partnership. The Prime Ministers also endorsed a Joint Maritime Security Collaboration Roadmap, setting out concrete milestones to deepen our cooperation in response to maritime security challenges. Anthony Albanese, in a press release, said, “In an increasingly challenging global environment, our defence and security cooperation is a force for peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.”
On the same day, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that Australia and India are committed to unlocking the full potential of our relationship by investing in education, science and technology. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi of the Republic of India welcomed signature of the Memorandum of Understanding for the Australia-Canada-India Technology and Innovation (ACITI) Partnership, driving trilateral cooperation with Canada on critical and emerging technologies. The government noted, the expansion of Australian university campuses in India provides Indian students with greater access to world-class education, while growing the global footprint Australia’s education sector, supporting research and innovation partnerships, and deepening economic and people-to-people links between the two countries. Anthony Albanese said, in a media release, ““Australia and India are working together on the technologies that are shaping our future as partners with a relationship anchored in trust.”
Furthermore on the same day, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that Australia and India are working together to strengthen cooperation on energy security and supply chain resilience. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi of the Republic of India welcomed the Joint Statement on Energy Security today in Melbourne. The Joint Statement recognises the importance of accelerating the energy transition to supply chain resilience, including promoting the uptake of renewable energy resources and the electrification of our energy systems. During their meeting, the Prime Ministers reaffirmed the importance of expediting efforts to address climate change and welcomed progress under the India–Australia Renewable Energy Partnership, including the opening of the Rooftop Solar Training Academy in Gujarat. Anthony Albanese said, in a media release, “Australia’s natural resources are vital for other countries’ energy security and stability, and we look forward to becoming a reliable, trusted supplier of uranium to India.”
On 10 July, the Australian Department of Defence awarded $6.2 million to three Australian-based companies as part of the 2025 AUKUS Maritime Innovation Challenge. The AUKUS Maritime Innovation Challenge sought innovative offerings from Australian industry that focused on cutting-edge technologies to support undersea communications and control of autonomous systems. BAE Systems Australia, L3Harris Integrated Mission Systems Australia Pty Ltd and Mission Systems Pty Ltd have received contracts with the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA), as part of the challenge. Head Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator, Major General Hugh Meggit said, in a media release, “Through the 2025 AUKUS Maritime Innovation Challenge, ASCA is collaborating with local industry and AUKUS partners to rapidly develop interoperable systems that translate innovation into real-world maritime capability.”
On the same day, the Australian Army has reinforced its long-standing relationship with one of Australia’s closest allies with the signing of the renewed Plan ANZAC. Plan ANZAC is a bilateral agreement between the Australian and New Zealand armies, designed to support the two nations to train, deploy and operate together. Signed by the new Chief of the Australian Army, Lieutenant General Susan Coyle, and Chief of the New Zealand Army, Major General Rose King, the agreement enhances interoperability through aligning capability, training, and readiness to respond to emerging operational challenges. Chief of the Australian Army, Lieutenant General Susan Coyle, in a media release, said, “Plan ANZAC builds on more than a century of shared service and cooperation, ensuring our armies are ready to train, deploy and operate side-by-side to face the challenges of today and tomorrow.” Chief of the New Zealand Army, Major General Rose King, also affirmed that the renewed Plan ANZAC would ensure the enduring Australian-New Zealand partnership remains strong for generations to come.
On 15 July, the Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese introduced a world-leading artificial intelligence framework to ensure Australia can capture the opportunity, share the benefits and keep Australians safe. The Government will introduce a set of Australian Standards for AI, building on the Data Centre Expectations, with our values as the benchmark to ensure AI works in Australia’s interests. The new standards will set out clear rules for large data centres— including a legal obligation to underwrite their own new power supply, pay their full share of connection costs so energy bills are not impacted, reduce power when needed to strengthen the grid, and be as water efficient as possible. Effective today, the Office of AI will be established within the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet to accelerate implementation of the Australian Standards on a national level. Anthony Albanese said, in a media release, “This world leading framework is about Australia choosing to shape the future rather than letting the future of AI shape us.”
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