Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (CISC) Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit held a meeting with US Indo-Pacific Command's Deputy Commander Lieutenant General Joshua Rudd on the sidelines of Exercise Talisman Sabre in Australia where they discussed the growing defence cooperation between the two nations.

Sharing details about the meeting,  Integrated Defence Staff posted on X: "Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff #CISC #HQ_IDS_India held bilateral discussions with Vice Admiral Justin Jones, Chief of Joint Operations, Australian Defence Forces on the sidelines of Exercise #TalismanSabre2025. "

It further said: "The military leaders discussed the growing #DefenceCooperation, with the elevation of bilateral relations between both nations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership."

During the meeting, future avenues for operational interaction and cooperation were also discussed.

What is Exercise Talisman Sabre?

 It is a premier multilateral training activity led by the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the United States Armed Forces and likely to see the participation from 19 nations, representing a wide spectrum of regional and global partners.

Six officers from Indian Armed Forces are participating in the ongoing TS25  as Staff Planners at various levels of Joint Operations Planning, Control, Safety and Logistics. Indian officers have earlier participated in 2021 and 2023 as Observers. 

The Indian Armed Forces’ participation in Exercise Talisman Sabre is a testimony to India's growing role in multilateral defence diplomacy and its active contribution to a stable Indo-Pacific. "The exercise presents an invaluable opportunity to deepen military-to-military ties, exchange strategic insights and bolster India’s vision of collaborative security engagement," read a government statement.