Australian Army Chief Lieutenant General Simon Stuart is on an official visit to India from August 11 to 14, 2025, during which he participated in several key engagements aimed at strengthening India-Australia defense cooperation. Stuart laid a wreath at the National War Memorial in Delhi and received a Guard of Honour at the South Block Lawns. He met with Indian Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi at the Naval Headquarters to discuss enhancing defense collaboration across all domains and reinforcing the strategic partnership between the two countries. During the visit, India briefed Stuart on Operation Sindoor. India and Australia signed agreements focusing on intelligence sharing and increasing the complexity of joint military exercises, with plans to conduct joint training initiatives in the Pacific region. Stuart also held discussions with Indian Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, reaffirming their commitment to defense cooperation. On the sidelines of the visit, military officials from both countries engaged in talks to further deepen ties. This visit follows recent defense agreements between India and Australia, including an air-to-air refueling pact signed last year. Separately, Japan and Australia announced a $6.5 billion deal for Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to build 11 Mogami-class stealth frigates for Australia, marking Japan's largest postwar arms export and signaling a strategic shift in Indo-Pacific defense relations amid rising tensions with China. Additionally, China’s Central Military Commission member Liu Zhenli held talks with Australia’s Chief of Defence Force David Johnston, focusing on China-Australia relations. Meanwhile, India’s shipbuilding industry is expanding but faces challenges in developing indigenous marine engines to compete globally.