India and Australia on Thursday launched the Australia-India Partnership on Cyber, Critical Technologies and Supply Chains (PACTS), unveiling a new framework aimed at strengthening cooperation in cyber security, critical technologies, resilient supply chains and defence research.
The new partnership, announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Australia, replaces the 2020 Framework Arrangement on Cyber and Cyber Enabled Critical Technology Cooperation and seeks to deepen collaboration in areas considered critical to national security, economic growth and regional stability.
According to the joint statement, PACTS will build on the two countries’ Comprehensive Strategic Partnership by promoting secure supply chains, trusted digital infrastructure, technology innovation and cyber resilience across the Indo-Pacific. The framework is designed to strengthen cooperation between governments, industry, research institutions and universities while supporting greater private sector investment and technology development.
The partnership is structured around five pillars of cooperation.
Under the first pillar on Supply Chain Resilience and Diversification, India and Australia will work to develop secure and trusted technology supply chains, establish a bilateral mechanism for trusted vendor frameworks, strengthen cooperation on undersea cable security through the Quad Partnership for Cable Connectivity and Resilience, collaborate on semiconductor supply chain research, and promote secure critical minerals supply chains through coordinated investment and regulatory cooperation.
The second pillar focuses on Critical Technologies, with both countries committing to deepen collaboration in artificial intelligence, space technologies, telecommunications, biotechnology and advanced materials. The two sides will support joint research, innovation and investment initiatives while working together on international standards for trustworthy and secure AI. They will also explore new opportunities for collaboration in the rapidly expanding space sector.
Under the Cybersecurity pillar, India and Australia will enhance cooperation to combat cybercrime, strengthen cyber resilience and protect critical infrastructure. The partnership includes plans to establish a streamlined bilateral cyber cooperation mechanism, expand dialogue on cybersecurity and data governance, facilitate joint workshops between government agencies and industry stakeholders, and establish a cyber technology skill incubator to promote workforce development.
The fourth pillar, Digital Resilience, aims to expand cooperation in digital public infrastructure (DPI) across the Indo-Pacific. The two countries will work together to promote scalable and trusted digital solutions in sectors such as renewable energy, healthcare, education, connectivity, skills development and social protection. The initiative also seeks to support partner countries in adopting India’s Digital Public Infrastructure model through capacity-building programmes and pilot projects.
The fifth pillar focuses on Defence Research Collaboration, under which India and Australia will deepen defence science and technology cooperation through joint research, institutional partnerships and innovation. The two countries will strengthen ties between Australia’s Defence Science and Technology Group and India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), promote collaboration between defence start-ups, and undertake joint research in maritime surveillance, advanced materials and other defence technologies.
The partnership will be jointly overseen by India’s Deputy National Security Advisor and Australia’s Deputy Secretary of the International and Security Group in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. An annual Senior Officials’ Meeting will review progress, identify emerging cyber and technology risks, and determine new collaborative projects under each pillar.
The two countries said the new framework reflects their shared commitment to strengthening national security, enhancing digital resilience, building trusted technology ecosystems and supporting a secure, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific.
