In an effort to strengthen the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, India and Australia hosted two important bilateral meetings.

Australia hosted the 6th India-Australia Maritime Security Dialogue in its capital city of Canberra to strengthen cooperation in ensuring maritime security. India hosted the 14th meeting of the India-Australia Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism in New Delhi.

Cooperation in counter-terrorism is an important pillar of the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

6th India-Australia Maritime Security Dialogue

Canberra, Australia, hosted the 6th India-Australia Maritime Security Dialogue on 13 August 2024.

Ms Muanpuii Saiawi, Joint Secretary, Disarmament & International Security Affairs, Ministry of External Affairs, led the Indian delegation. Ms Sarah Storey, First Assistant Secretary South Asia & Central Asia Division, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Mr Bernard Philip, First Assistant Secretary of International Policy, Department of Defence, led the Australian delegation.

They discussed ways to promote cooperation between the two countries in the fields of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), sustainable use of marine resources, Search and Rescue operations, pollution response, blue economy, and Port State control.

The next 7th India-Australia Maritime Security Dialogue will be held in New Delhi

14th India-Australia Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism

The 14th meeting of the India-Australia Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism was held in New Delhi on 12 August 2024. The Indian side was led by K.D. Dewal, Joint Secretary for Counter-Terrorism at the Ministry of External Affairs of India and the Australian delegation was led by Richard Feakes, Ambassador for Counter-Terrorism, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia.

Both countries discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in countering terrorism and exchanged views on regional and global terrorism. They condemned terrorism in all its forms and emphasised the need for strengthening international cooperation to combat terrorism.

The next 15th India-Australia Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism will be hosted by Australia in Canberra.

About Australia

Australia is the smallest continent on earth and the sixth-largest country in the world in terms of area.

Australia is an island continent located in the southern hemisphere between the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean.

Australia is also known as the “Oldest Continent”, “the Last of Lands,” and “the Last Frontier.”

The Aborigines are Australia's native population, while the large population consists of European-born settlers.

Capital: Canberra

Currency: Australian Dollar

Prime Minister: Anthony Albanese