India, Australia Launch PACTS to Boost Cyber, Tech Co
New Partnership Focuses on Cybersecurity, Critical Technologies and Resilient Supply Chains
GG News Bureau
Melbourne, 9th July: India and Australia have launched the Australia-India Partnership on Cyber, Critical Technologies and Supply Chains (PACTS), a new strategic framework aimed at expanding bilateral cooperation in cybersecurity, emerging technologies and resilient supply chains.
The new partnership, announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Australia, replaces the 2020 Framework Arrangement on Cyber and Cyber Enabled Critical Technology Cooperation and seeks to strengthen national and regional security while promoting trusted digital ecosystems and technology collaboration.
PACTS is built around five pillars—supply chain resilience, critical technologies, cybersecurity, digital resilience and defence research collaboration. Under the initiative, both countries will promote cooperation among governments, research institutions, universities and private industry to accelerate innovation and increase investment in strategic technologies.
The framework includes collaboration on trusted semiconductor and critical minerals supply chains, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, telecommunications, space technologies and undersea cable security. Both countries will also work towards developing common approaches for safe and secure AI and strengthening research partnerships in advanced technologies.
In cybersecurity, India and Australia will enhance cooperation to counter cybercrime, protect critical infrastructure, improve cyber governance and establish joint capacity-building programmes, including workshops and a cyber skills incubator. The partnership also seeks to strengthen digital public infrastructure across the Indo-Pacific through collaborative projects and technology-sharing initiatives.
The defence research pillar will focus on expanding cooperation between India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Australia’s Defence Science and Technology Group, while promoting innovation in maritime surveillance, advanced materials and defence technologies.
The partnership will be jointly overseen by senior officials from both countries through an annual review mechanism to identify priority areas and monitor progress across all five pillars of cooperation.
