Strengthening Maritime and Defence CooperationThe two sides discussed advancements in bilateral maritime security cooperation and efforts to finalise the Joint Maritime Security Collaboration Roadmap. They agreed to progress collaborative maritime domain awareness activities through maritime patrol aircraft and explore opportunities to enhance undersea domain awareness. The ministers welcomed the growing strategic convergence among Australia, India, Japan and the United States in the Indo-Pacific. In July 2026, India and Australia signed a new Joint Declaration on Defence and Security Cooperation, upgrading military interoperability, maritime security roadmaps and military industrial ties. Underwater Domain Awareness: A Strategic ImperativeTo counter China’s expanding naval footprint in the Indo-Pacific, secure vital sea lanes of communication and protect critical undersea infrastructure, India and Australia are prioritising Underwater Domain Awareness (UDA).