Context: Recently, the foreign and defence ministers of India and Australia held the first India-Australia 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in New Delhi.

• The dialogue is aimed at further strengthen the overall defence and strategic cooperation between the two countries, including in the Indo-Pacific.
• Both sides welcomed the elevation of India-Australia relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) during the Leaders’ Virtual Summit held in June 2020.
• The shared objective of an open, free, prosperous and rules-based Indo-Pacific region was reiterated.

It is in line with India's increasing engagement in the region through:

• Indo-Pacific Oceans’ Initiative
• Australia's Indo-Pacific approach and Pacific Step-Up.

The Ministers intended to expand cooperation under the 2+2 framework and to meet at least once in every two years to maintain the momentum.

• The next 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue would be held in 2023.
• The launch of the Supply Chain Resilience Initiative by the Trade Ministers of India, Australia and Japan was welcomed.
• It was agreed to continue boosting cooperation in the maritime domain, as encapsulated in the Joint Declaration on a Shared Vision for Maritime Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, adopted in June 2020.

India – Australia relations
Economic relations

• Trade Ministers of India, Japan and Australia formally launched Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI).
• The countries have upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2020.

Multilateral relations

• The countries have signed multiple defence agreements and co-operate in various multilateral fora.
• Both countries are members of the Quad, Commonwealth, Indian Ocean Rim Association, ASEAN Regional Forum, Asia Pacific Partnership on Climate and Clean Development, and participate in East Asia Summits.
• Australia supports India’s membership in Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).

Other Pacts/initiatives

• Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty and Extradition Treaty between India and Australia, which were signed in June 2008.
• A Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement was signed in September 2014.
• India was sent oxygen, ventilators and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits by Australia as part of an immediate support package during COVID-19 pandemic.
• The researchers from both countries are working jointly to advance COVID-19 screening and study the future health effects of the virus through projects funded by Australia-India Strategic Research Fund.

Defence Relations

The countries have increased defence cooperation.

• AUSINDEX- Bilateral naval exercise
• AUSTRA HIND- Bilateral exercise with Army
• PITCH BLACK- Multilateral air combat training exercise of Australia
• Malabar Exercise Phase I- Multilateral exercise comprising Quad countries 

Additional Information
2+2’ Dialogue

• 2+2 Ministerial is the highest-level institutional mechanism between the two countries.
• It is a format of dialogue where the defence/foreign ministers or secretaries meet with their counterparts from another country.
• India holds such talks with Australia, Japan and the USA.