Next week, in an effort to boost maritime collaboration between Australia and India, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond, Head of the Royal Australian Navy, is set to embark on an important five-day trip to India.
Starting April 2, the five-day trip marks a crucial step amidst growing efforts from both countries to strengthen naval relations and strategic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
Vice Admiral Hammond will engage in high-level talks with his Indian counterpart, Admiral R Hari Kumar, Chief of the Indian Navy and the focus will be on a wide range of issues including maritime security and joint exercises as well as with the other QUAD member states, aiming to deepen the existing naval partnership.
His itinerary includes visits to key cities and naval bases across India. He will kick off his trip in Delhi, engaging in dialogues to foster mutual understanding and cooperation. Subsequently, he will visit Kochi and Mumbai, prominent hubs of maritime activity in India, to explore opportunities for collaboration between the Australian and Indian naval industries.
A significant aspect of the visit will be Vice Admiral Hammond’s tour of INS Vikrant, India’s inaugural domestically constructed aircraft carrier commissioned in 2022. This symbolic gesture underscores the growing importance of naval cooperation between Australia and India, highlighting their shared commitment to enhancing maritime capabilities in the region.
It is worth noting that Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also visited INS Vikrant during his India visit last year, underscoring India’s status as a top-tier security partner for Australia.
The Australian Navy Chief’s upcoming visit reaffirms the dedication of both nations to advancing maritime security and stability in the Indo-Pacific. This visit follows several recent joint exercises and deployments, showcasing the strengthening maritime partnership between the two countries.
Joint Exercises
Notably, the AUSINDEX naval exercise held in Sydney in August 2023 demonstrated the interoperability and coordination between the Royal Australian Navy and the Indian Navy. Furthermore, India’s Scorpene submarine, INS Vagir, participated in various exercises with the Royal Australian Navy during an extended deployment to Australia in August 2023.
Moreover, a Maritime Partnership Exercise in the Bay of Bengal in November 2022, involving ships from both navies, highlighted the commitment of Australia’s Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2022 initiative to fostering maritime cooperation in the region.