External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles to discuss key regional dynamics and the Indo-Pacific theatre. Their meeting aimed to strengthen the bilateral Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, focusing on mutual security interests. Jaishankar expressed his pleasure in meeting Marles and highlighted their shared assessments of regional developments. Prior to this, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Marles co-chaired the second India-Australia Defence Ministers' Dialogue in New Delhi, where they reviewed the progress of bilateral defence cooperation and explored new opportunities for advancement. Both leaders reiterated their commitment to enhancing defence engagement and fostering peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. Marles emphasized the need to translate strategic trust into tangible military cooperation, underscoring the importance of collaboration among partners for regional prosperity. The Defence Ministry noted that Marles' visit signifies the growing depth of the India-Australia defence partnership, crucial for India's vision of a free and inclusive Indo-Pacific.