Defence Minister Rajnath Singh with his Australian counterpart Richard Marles during a meeting, in New Delhi, Monday, Nov. 20, 2023. ( Image Source :

India and Australia engaged in the second 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue on Monday, focusing on bolstering defence cooperation and enhancing the strategic relationship. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles and Foreign Minister Penny Wong in Delhi during this diplomatic engagement.

During the dialogue, Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles acknowledged the shared history, democratic traditions, and strategic alignment between India and Australia. He emphasised the crucial timing of their collaboration, especially in light of China being both countries’ biggest trade partner and security concern.

We, are two countries which share history. We share democratic traditions. We share the rule of law and freedom of speech. We share this in a world where our strategic alignment is greater than it has ever been.