New Delhi: India and Australia have unveiled an ambitious new framework to deepen cooperation in cyber security, critical technologies, and resilient supply chains. The initiative signals a major expansion of their strategic partnership amid growing geopolitical competition and heightened concerns over the security of global technology ecosystems.
Titled the India-Australia Partnership on Cyber, Critical Technologies and Supply Chains (PACTS), the new initiative directly replaces the 2020 Framework Arrangement on Cyber and Cyber Enabled Critical Technology Cooperation. Announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official visit to Australia, the revamped framework seeks to significantly strengthen bilateral collaboration across emerging technologies, artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, critical minerals, digital infrastructure, and defence research.
The two countries emphasized that resilient supply chains, critical technologies, and cyber security have become central not only to economic growth but also to national security and the shaping of global technological standards. Under the PACTS operational blueprint, India and Australia will work to build secure, trusted, and diversified supply chains, with a particular focus on semiconductors, critical minerals, and undersea cable infrastructure across the Indo-Pacific region.
As part of the initiative, the two sides will collaborate closely on developing trusted vendor frameworks, protecting semiconductor supply chains through joint research, and strengthening critical minerals cooperation. This will be achieved through coordinated investments, regulatory alignment, and the shared development of recycling technologies. The agreement also envisages closer collaboration in other emerging technological frontiers, including biotechnology, advanced materials, telecommunications, and space technologies, alongside deepened cooperation between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Australian Space Agency.
Recognising AI as a strategic technology, India and Australia will work together to develop international standards and best practices for trustworthy, safe, and secure artificial intelligence. The partnership will actively encourage joint research between universities, greater industry collaboration, and knowledge-sharing on AI infrastructure, large language models, and computing capabilities.
In the cyber domain, the two countries will enhance operational cooperation to combat cybercrime, deter malicious cyber activity, and protect critical infrastructure. They plan to establish a streamlined bilateral mechanism to coordinate cyber policy, capacity-building initiatives, and regional cooperation while expanding trade and investment opportunities for cybersecurity companies.
Another key pillar of the partnership focuses on promoting digital resilience across the Indo-Pacific. India and Australia will jointly support the adoption of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) solutions in partner countries, particularly in areas such as clean energy, connectivity, health care, education, social protection, and digital governance.
Officials noted that the initiative reflects the growing strategic convergence between the two Quad partners, who are increasingly working together to build trusted technology ecosystems and reduce vulnerabilities in critical global supply chains. The partnership will be jointly overseen by India’s Deputy National Security Adviser and Australia’s Deputy Secretary of the International and Security Group in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Annual senior officials’ meetings will review progress, identify emerging risks, and steer cooperation under the five primary pillars of the framework.
The announcement comes as India and Australia seek to broaden their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership beyond traditional trade and defence into emerging technologies that are expected to shape the future global economy and security architecture.
