Rajnath Singh seeks deeper defence-industry collaboration

New Delhi, Oct 10: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday addressed the inaugural India-Australia Defence Industry Business Roundtable in Sydney, highlighting the growing strategic and industrial synergy between the two nations.

He described the forum as “a declaration of intent to make India and Australia natural allies in business, industry, and innovation.”

Recalling recent high-level engagements, including the India-Australia Summit (2024) and the 2 2 Ministerial Dialogue, Singh emphasised that strong bilateral ties rest on government cooperation, people-to-people links, and shared business interests, with the defence industrial partnership holding significant untapped potential.

“Both India and Australia are part of the Commonwealth of Nations. Our shared history is built on democracy, diversity, liberty, and similar governance structures,” he noted.

The defence minister said that strong India-Australia ties rest on three pillars: robust government-to-government cooperation, people-to-people connections, and convergence of business interests.

While the first two are thriving, he said, “our defence industrial partnership based on joint R&D, innovation, co-creation and co-production still has untapped potential.”

Rajnath Singh highlighted India’s economic and defence transformation, noting record defence production of 1.51 lakh crore and exports to nearly 100 countries.

He pointed out complementarities between Indian and Australian capabilities in shipbuilding, quantum technologies, AI, maritime systems, and defence manufacturing, urging joint R&D, co-development, and co-production initiatives.

The defence minister welcomed Australia’s proposal for a reciprocal MoU on defence articles and services and stressed opportunities in naval vessel co-production, green shipbuilding, and autonomous systems.

He called on Australian industry to invest and collaborate, saying the partnership is at a “defining moment” for shaping a secure and self-reliant Indo-Pacific.

The defence minister underlined vast opportunities in the co-production of naval vessels and sub-systems, ship repair and maintenance, and joint R&D in autonomous systems and green shipbuilding technologies.

“By diversifying supply chains, building joint capacities, and investing in innovation, India and Australia can contribute to a resilient, secure, and self-reliant Indo-Pacific,” he said.

“I invite the Australian business community to invest, collaborate, and innovate with India,” Rajnath Singh urged. “Together, we can develop cutting-edge technologies, build advanced platforms, and ensure that our industries are not just suppliers, but strategic enablers of peace and security in the region.”

Concluding his remarks, the defence minister said the India-Australia defence partnership is at a “defining moment.”

“The convergence of our strategic interests, the energy of our industries, and the vision of our leadership give us a unique opportunity to shape the future together,” he said.