India and Australia have agreed to significantly deepen bilateral cooperation in cyber security, critical technologies, and resilient supply chains, with senior officials from both nations meeting in Canberra on 15 September 2026 to advance the implementation of a landmark new partnership. The discussions mark a concrete step forward in operationalising the Australia-India Partnership on Cyber, Critical Technologies and Supply Chains (PACTS).

Senior Officials Lead Canberra Talks

Amit Shukla, Joint Secretary for Cyber Diplomacy at India's Ministry of External Affairs, held a bilateral meeting with Jessica Hunter, Australia's Ambassador for Cyber Affairs and Critical Technology, during an official visit to Australia. According to a statement issued by the Indian High Commission in Canberra, the two officials discussed the longstanding partnership and exchanged views on how to operationalise PACTS in practical terms.

The new framework organises cooperation around five key pillars designed to deepen collaboration across the Indo-Pacific, bringing cyber security, critical technologies, and supply-chain resilience under a single broader strategic architecture.

AI and the Indo-Pacific: Panel at ASPI

On the sidelines of the bilateral meetings, Shukla participated in an Artificial Intelligence (AI) masterclass organised by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) in Canberra. He joined a panel examining AI adoption across the Indo-Pacific, alongside representatives from Papua New Guinea (PNG) and other regional partners.

Hunter, who moderated the panel, said the discussion “underscored the importance of regional collaboration and shared experience as countries navigate AI adoption, balancing innovation, security and economic prosperity.” She specifically highlighted India’s role, noting that “India’s experience demonstrates the transformative impact of technology deployed at scale.”

What PACTS Covers and Why It Matters

Both governments view cyber security, critical technologies, and supply chains as increasingly central to economic growth, national security, and the ability to shape global technology standards and norms. The PACTS framework is intended to move these priorities beyond policy dialogue into operational collaboration.

Notably, the Canberra talks come as India and Australia continue to expand their broader Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with technology and supply-chain resilience emerging as among the most consequential pillars of the relationship. This is also consistent with India’s wider Indo-Pacific strategy, which places digital infrastructure and secure supply chains at its core.

Regional Significance and What Comes Next

Hunter emphasised that the Indo-Pacific is “already shaping its AI-enabled future that is inclusive, practical and delivers real benefits for our communities,” pointing to practical use-case sharing and strengthened partnerships as key enablers. PNG’s participation in the ASPI panel was flagged as reflecting “emerging AI leadership” in the Pacific island nation.

With the PACTS framework now under active implementation discussion, the focus will shift to translating the five-pillar structure into tangible outcomes — whether through joint working groups, technology-sharing protocols, or aligned positions on global standards bodies. The next round of consultations is expected to build on these foundational Canberra exchanges.