INDIA-AUSTRALIA DEFENCE MINISTERS HOLD INAUGURAL DIALOGUE, AGREE TO DEEPEN STRATEGIC AND DEFENCE TIES Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh met with Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Mr. Richard Marles in Australia for the inaugural India-Australia Defence Ministers’ Dialogue. The meeting marked a significant step forward in the growing strategic partnership between the two nations since the elevation of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2020. The ministers expressed a shared commitment to strengthening bilateral defence cooperation, contributing to regional peace and security, and implementing a Joint Maritime Security Collaboration Roadmap. They also looked forward to renewed Prime Minister-level declarations to further enhance defence and security cooperation. Key outcomes and highlights of the joint statement include: Establishment of an Annual Defence Ministers’ Dialogue to maintain regular strategic engagement. Signing of the Implementing Arrangement on Mutual Submarine Rescue Support and Cooperation. Progress on Air-to-Air Refuelling cooperation, and enhanced information-sharing between defence forces. Launch of Joint Staff Talks to coordinate exercises, operations, and interoperability across all domains. Defence Exercises and Operations: India’s participation in Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 and likely return in 2027. Australia’s involvement in Exercise Tarang Shakti 2024 and upcoming naval engagements in 2026. India welcomed to take part in submarine rescue exercise Black Carillon. Enhanced cooperation through Exercise Austrahind and Exercise Puk Puk, along with a focus on amphibious operations. Defence Education and Training: India to send additional students to the Australian Defence College in 2026. A permanent Indian position at the Australian Defence Force Academy from 2027. Industrial and Technological Collaboration: Support for defence industry collaboration, highlighted by: Australia’s first defence trade mission to India (7–10 October 2025), India’s participation in the Land Forces Expo 2024, The upcoming Defence Industry Roundtable in Sydney on October 10, 2025. Both countries committed to cooperation in critical technologies, including secure communications, UAS, counter-UAS, and integrated air and missile defence. India offered MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) services for Royal Australian Navy ships in Indian shipyards. Regional and Multilateral Cooperation: Affirmed commitment to a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific, including support for freedom of navigation and overflight. Agreed to deepen cooperation under the Australia–India–Indonesia trilateral, and with QUAD partners (Australia, India, Japan, US). Looking forward to maritime collaboration during Exercise Malabar 2025 and observation of Exercise Cope India alongside Japan. Cultural and Diplomatic Engagements: Acknowledged INS Kadmatt’s participation in Papua New Guinea’s 50th Independence celebrations and its port call in Fiji. India was invited to future iterations of Australia’s Operation Render Safe. The meeting concluded with Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles accepting Shri Rajnath Singh’s invitation to visit India in 2026 for the next Annual Defence Ministers’ Dialogue, cementing a year-on-year format for sustained strategic engagement.

WALTAIR DIVISION LAUNCHES ''AMRIT SAMVAAD'' TO BOOST PASSENGER ENGAGEMENT UNDER SPECIAL CAMPAIGN 5.0 As part of Special Campaign 5.0 and inspired by the Amrit Kaal vision and Panch Pran (Five Resolves) outlined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Waltair Division has initiated a new citizen-centric programme titled ‘Amrit Samvaad’, aimed at strengthening engagement with railway passengers. Launched on October 2, 2025, by Divisional Railway Manager Shri Lalit Bohra at Visakhapatnam Railway Station, this initiative focuses on encouraging direct interaction between railway officials and commuters. The campaign prioritizes discussions around sustainable practices, energy efficiency, multimodal connectivity, and potential enhancements to passenger amenities. The first interactive session under Amrit Samvaad was held at Duvvada Railway Station, where Divisional Commercial Manager Smt Pooja Singh led conversations with passengers and stakeholders, including ZRUCC member Shri K Eeswara Rao. Feedback was collected on recent improvements, and individuals offering exceptional suggestions were recognized and felicitated. Running from October 2 to 31, 2025, the Amrit Samvaad campaign is being conducted across all major stations in the Waltair Division, creating a platform for passengers to share ideas and feedback aimed at improving infrastructure, services, and the overall travel experience. Passengers are encouraged to actively participate and contribute to shaping a more efficient and commuter-friendly rail system in the region.

RAKSHA MANTRI URGES STARTUPS TO BUILD INDIA''S FIRST DEFENCE UNICORN The nature of warfare is rapidly evolving, with algorithms, AI, autonomous systems, drones, anti-drone technology, quantum computing, and directed energy weapons set to define the battlefield of tomorrow, said Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh at the ''Raksha Navachar Samvaad'' event held on October 7, 2025, at Vigyan Bhawan. Addressing iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) startups, he called upon young innovators to push boundaries and position India as a global leader in defence technology. Shri Rajnath Singh highlighted the transformation in India''s defence landscape, pointing out that capital acquisitions from domestic sources have surged from Rs.74,000 crore in FY 2021-22 to Rs.1.2 lakh crore in FY 2024-25. He termed this shift a sign of growing confidence and self-reliance. He also encouraged the creation of India’s first Defence Unicorn, emphasizing that India, with over 100 unicorns in various sectors, must now achieve this milestone in defence. Over 650 startups have been declared winners under iDEX, with prototype procurements exceeding Rs.3,000 crore, marking a revolutionary change in India’s defence innovation ecosystem. Shri Rajnath Singh emphasized that Indian talent, long contributing to global tech in areas like IT and space, is now being channelled toward national security through initiatives like iDEX. He praised startups such as Refi M. Fiber and Gravity Systems for their contributions to Operation Sindoor, noting that innovations from Indian soil are now gaining international recognition at forums like the Dubai Airshow 2025. The Defence Minister also outlined key reforms supporting this transformation, such as the new Defence Procurement Manual (DPM-2025), which offers five-year assured orders for innovators, and upcoming changes to the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) to streamline processes and guarantee procurement for impactful technologies. Collaboration across ministries and financial institutions is being fostered to ensure end-to-end support for defence startups. The MoD is working closely with the Department of Science & Technology, DPIIT, and others to create a robust innovation ecosystem—from idea to product and from prototype to production. Defence production under Aatmanirbhar Bharat is now a major driver of investment, R&D, and employment, said Shri Rajnath Singh, positioning the indigenous defence sector not only as a strategic imperative but also as an economic force. The conference featured exhibitions of cutting-edge defence technologies under iDEX and ADITI, alongside panel discussions on scaling startups, bridging innovation and production, and boosting R&D collaboration. Key dignitaries present included Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, DRDO Chairman Dr Samir V Kamat, and Defence Production Secretary Shri Sanjeev Kumar, alongside senior officials, startup founders, industry leaders, and defence personnel. Shri Rajnath Singh concluded by reaffirming the government’s commitment to empowering startups, stating that India’s defence startup ecosystem will play a decisive role in achieving both security and technological self-reliance.