India and Australia formed the Australia-India Partnership on Cyber, Critical Technologies and Supply Chains – PACTS on July 9, 2026, an innovative framework to boost cooperation when it comes to cybersecurity, dependable supply chains, critical technologies as well as defence research.
During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Australia, the two countries unveiled a new partnership to substitute the 2020 Framework Arrangement on Cyber and Cyber-Enabled Critical Technology Cooperation, which aims to strengthen partnership in fields that are considered important for national security and economic growth along with regional stability.
The joint statement indicated that PACTS will build on the comprehensive strategic partnership between both countries by fostering dependable supply chains, trustworthy digital infrastructure, innovation in technology and cyber resilience throughout the Indo-Pacific. The structure aims to strengthen cooperation between governments, industry, and research institutions as well as universities, while facilitating greater investment from the private sector along with technological development.
The premise of the partnership is the 5 pillars of cooperation.
For the first pillar about making supply chains stronger and more varied, India and Australia will work to create safe and trusted technology supply chains, establish a system for trusted vendors, enhance cooperation on underwater cable security through the Quad Partnership for Cable Connectivity and Resilience, collaborate on research related to semiconductor supply chains, and promote secure supply chains in critical minerals through shared investments and regulatory efforts.
The second pillar is on critical technologies, in which both countries pledge to step up co-operation in fields such as space technologies, artificial intelligence, telecommunications, and biotechnology as well as advanced materials. The two sides will support joint research, investment and innovation initiatives while working together on global norms for reliable and safe AI. They will additionally be looking at novel possibilities for cooperation in the rapidly growing space sector.
Under the gamut of the cybersecurity pillar, India and Australia will strengthen cooperation when it comes to fighting cybercrime, fostering cyber resilience and protecting critical infrastructure. The collaboration comprises a plan to create a simplified bilateral cyber cooperation mechanism, widen dialogue in terms of cybersecurity and data governance, conduct joint workshops between government agencies as well as industry stakeholders and create a cyber technology skills incubator so as to promote workforce development.
The fourth pillar, which is digital resilience, is designed to establish a foundation on collaboration in terms of digital public infrastructure – DPI – in the Indo-Pacific. The two countries will work together to establish scalable and trustworthy digital solutions in fields including renewable energy, education, healthcare, connectivity, and skills development as well as social protection. This effort will also support partner countries in embracing India’s model of digital public infrastructure by means of capacity-building programmes as well as pilot projects.
The fifth pillar of the IPEF is going to be defence research collaboration, in which India and Australia will strengthen their defence science and technology partnership by means of institutional partnerships, joint research and innovation.
The two nations intend to strengthen ties between Defence Science and Technology Group from Australia and India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation – DRDO, foster partnerships between defence start-ups, and carry out joint research in terms of maritime surveillance, sophisticated materials and various other defence technologies.
India’s Deputy National Security Advisor, along with the Deputy Secretary of the International and Security Group of Australia within the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, is going to jointly supervise the partnership. A senior officials’ meeting will examine each pillar every year to evaluate progress, recognise emerging risks associated with cyber and technology and determine new collaborative initiatives.
Interestingly, both countries said the new framework demonstrates their common commitment so as to strengthen national security, enhance digital durability, build trustworthy technology ecosystems and promote a safe, open and rule-based Indo-Pacific.
