On Monday, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held discussions with Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles, focusing on the Indo-Pacific region and the strengthening of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The meeting aimed to consolidate strategic understanding and review mutual security interests. Prior to this, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Marles co-chaired the second India-Australia Defence Ministers' Dialogue in New Delhi, exploring ways to enhance bilateral defence ties. Both leaders emphasized the importance of solidifying defence engagement to foster peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. Marles noted that the discussions aimed to translate the strategic trust between India and Australia into practical military cooperation. The Ministry of Defence highlighted that this visit reflects the growing depth of the India-Australia defence partnership, which is crucial for a free and prosperous Indo-Pacific. The ongoing dialogues and engagements signify a commitment to advancing their bilateral relations in defence and security.