Australia and India have unveiled a new strategic framework to deepen cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, critical technologies and resilient supply chains, reinforcing their shared commitment to regional security and technological innovation in the Indo-Pacific.

The Australia-India Partnership on Cyber, Critical Technologies and Supply Chains (PACTS) replaces the 2020 Framework Arrangement on Cyber and Cyber Enabled Critical Technology Cooperation, expanding bilateral collaboration to address emerging technological and geopolitical challenges.

Under the new partnership, both countries will work together to strengthen the security, resilience and integrity of critical technologies while accelerating innovation in AI, space technologies, telecommunications, biotechnology and advanced materials. The initiative also aims to protect essential digital and physical infrastructure and promote interoperable, consensus-driven international standards to support long-term economic security and regional stability.

A key focus of PACTS is responsible AI development. Australia and India will collaborate to advance international standards and benchmarks for trustworthy, safe and secure AI through multistakeholder frameworks grounded in democratic values. The partnership will encourage joint initiatives between academic institutions and the private sector to equip AI researchers, policymakers and industry professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to develop and deploy AI responsibly.

The two countries will also exchange expertise on securing access to computing infrastructure, large language models (LLMs), AI systems and related digital infrastructure, recognising the growing strategic importance of AI capabilities.

Beyond AI, PACTS seeks to accelerate bilateral research, innovation and investment in advanced materials, telecommunications and biotechnology by aligning existing research programmes with priority technology areas. The partners will also explore joint commercial and government-led initiatives in the space sector, building on their expanding space cooperation.

Cybersecurity forms another major pillar of the agreement. Australia and India will strengthen collaboration to combat cybercrime, deter malicious cyber activities, protect critical national infrastructure and enhance cooperation in United Nations-led cyber processes. They also plan to establish a streamlined bilateral mechanism for cyber and ICT cooperation to improve policy coordination, capacity building and regional engagement while avoiding duplication across existing initiatives.

The partnership reflects the growing strategic convergence between Australia and India as both countries seek to shape a secure, resilient and trusted technology ecosystem for the Indo-Pacific.