CNS Canberra talks with Australia's naval and military leadership covered interoperability, operational engagement and multiple exercise opportunities in 2027, as Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), held a round of engagements during his official visit to Australia from Wednesday to Friday.

Adm Swaminathan met Vice Admiral Matthew Buckley, Chief of Navy, Royal Australian Navy (RAN), at the Russell Offices, the Canberra headquarters of Australia's Department of Defence. He held separate talks with Admiral Mark Hammond, Chief of the Defence Force (CDF), Australia. Both leaders were on the programme released when the visit was announced ahead of his departure.

What the CNS Canberra talks covered

The two navy chiefs reviewed the progress of bilateral naval cooperation, the Indian Navy said. They discussed avenues to "further enhance interoperability and operational engagement, including through multiple exercise opportunities in 2027," the Navy added.

The two navies already work together at sea in the bilateral AUSINDEX series, which began in 2015, and in Exercise Malabar alongside Japan and the United States. Australia returned to Malabar in 2020. In the air, Indian Air Force Rafales flew at Exercise Pitch Black in Darwin this year.


A maritime roadmap in implementation

With Adm Hammond, discussions focused on the growing strategic depth of the India-Australia defence partnership and on advancing the implementation of the Maritime Security Collaboration Roadmap, according to the Navy. The two sides also identified opportunities to deepen interoperability and cooperation across the maritime domain. The Navy described a shared resolve to turn the partnership into tangible outcomes for "a secure, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific".

At the second India-Australia Defence Ministers' Dialogue in New Delhi on 1 June, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Australia's Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles discussed efforts to finalise the joint roadmap, according to their joint statement. They also agreed to progress maritime domain awareness activities by maritime patrol aircraft and to explore undersea domain awareness.

In July, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese carried the roadmap into the renewed Joint Declaration on Defence and Security Cooperation signed in Melbourne.

The first dialogue, in October 2025, saw a mutual submarine rescue support arrangement signed between the two sides.


Smoking Ceremony and Guard of Honour

A traditional welcome at the Russell Offices opened the CNS Canberra talks. It featured a Smoking Ceremony rooted in Australia's Indigenous heritage, followed by a ceremonial Guard of Honour for Adm Swaminathan.


Fleet talks at HMAS Kuttabul

Earlier in the visit, Adm Swaminathan interacted with Rear Admiral Anita Williams, Commander Australian Fleet, at HMAS Kuttabul in Sydney. Discussions covered the RAN's evolving fleet capabilities and future inductions, the Navy said, along with opportunities for enhancing interoperability and operational interaction between the two navies. He was also given a familiarisation tour of the base, covering its fleet infrastructure and operational capabilities.

HMAS Kuttabul takes its name from a Sydney Harbour ferry sunk during the Japanese midget submarine attack of 1942.


Address at the Australian Defence College

At the Australian Defence College in Canberra, Adm Swaminathan addressed course members of the Australian Command and Staff Course, a 47 week residential programme that prepares mid-career officers for command and staff appointments. In a candid interaction, he shared perspectives on the evolving maritime and strategic landscape, contemporary security challenges and the demands these place on military leaders.

He emphasised adaptability, professional curiosity and critical thinking. Adm Swaminathan also interacted with officers of the Indian armed forces undergoing courses at the college.

Homage at the Australian War Memorial

Accompanied by Vice Adm Buckley, Adm Swaminathan paid homage at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, honouring the memory and sacrifice of those who served. The memorial combines a shrine, a museum and an archive, and commemorates Australians who died in war or on operational service.