The Director General of India’s Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) Lt. General DS Rana will visit Australia from March 19-21 to bolster bilateral defence intelligence ties and strategic engagement.
During the visit, India’s Defence Intelligence Agency DG will hold discussions with Australia’s senior defence officials, including the Deputy Secretary, Department of Defence, Director General of National Intelligence (DGNI), Chief of Defence Intelligence and the Chief of Joint Operations of the Australian Defence Forces (ADF).
Indo-Pacific
These high-level interactions will focus on intelligence-sharing mechanisms, regional security cooperation, and avenues for further collaboration in the Indo-Pacific region.
“As part of the visit, DG DIA will also visit the Headquarters Joint Operations Command (HQ JOC) to gain insights into Australia’s operational framework and joint command structures,” read a government statement.
He is also scheduled to interact with the Director of the Australian Geospatial Organisation (AGO).
Additionally, engagements at the Lowy Institute, a leading international policy think tank, will facilitate discussions on strategic defence and security dynamics.
“Honouring the strong defence ties and shared military traditions between India and Australia, DG DIA will lay a wreath at the Australian War Memorial,” the statement said.
“The visit will also include attending the Last Post Ceremony, a solemn tribute to the fallen soldiers, symbolising mutual respect and remembrance for the sacrifices made in service to the nation,” the statement said.
Intelligence Cooperation
This visit underscores the deepening intelligence and security cooperation between India and Australia, reinforcing both nations’ commitment to maintaining peace, stability, and security in the region.
India-Australia Defence Ties
During PM Modi’s visit to Australia in November 2014, both sides decided to extend defence cooperation to cover research, development and industry engagement and agreed to hold regular meetings at the level of the Defence Minister, conduct regular maritime exercises and convene regular service-to-service talks.
The establishment of General Rawat India-Australia Young Defence Officers’ Exchange Programme was announced during a virtual meeting in March 2022 under which 15 Australian Defence Force officers joined 15 Indian Defence Force personnel for the first iteration of the program in March 2023 in India.
India participated in the 2021 and 2023 editions of EX TALISMAN SABRE as Observers. INS Vagir, India’s Scorpene submarine, on its extended range deployment, visited Australia from 21-28 August 2023 and participated in various exercises with the Royal Australian Navy.
(With inputs from IBNS)
