'Complete Trust' Defines India-Australia Strategic Partnership: Richard Marles

Australia's Defence Minister Richard Marles has reaffirmed the growing strategic partnership between India and Australia, emphasizing the deep trust and shared security interests that bind the two nations.

Addressing a press conference, Marles said that India and Australia are "side by side" nations connected by the Indian Ocean and united by a strong strategic alignment. Highlighting the importance of bilateral defence cooperation, he stated that Australia is undertaking more maritime security collaboration with India in the Indian Ocean than with any other country.

"We share an ocean, which is a demonstration of the fact that we are two countries that are really side by side. We share strategic alignment with India, and all of that is underpinned by complete trust," Marles said.

The remarks underscore the growing significance of India-Australia relations amid evolving geopolitical dynamics in the Indo-Pacific region. Over recent years, both countries have expanded defence exercises, intelligence sharing, naval cooperation, and strategic engagements under frameworks such as the Quad.

The enhanced maritime partnership reflects the shared commitment of New Delhi and Canberra to ensuring a free, open, inclusive, and rules-based Indo-Pacific while strengthening regional security and stability.