India and Australia unveil the Australia-India Partnership on Cyber, Critical Technologies and Supply Chains (PACTS) on July 9, 2026, replacing the 2020 Framework and structured around five pillars of strategic cooperation.
India and Australia launched the Australia-India Partnership on Cyber, Critical Technologies and Supply Chains (PACTS) on July 9, 2026, succeeding and replacing the 2020 Framework Arrangement on Cyber and Cyber Enabled Critical Technology Cooperation. The PACTS is structured around five interrelated pillars of cooperation: Supply Chain Resilience and Diversification; Critical Technology; Cybersecurity; Digital Resilience; and Defence Research Collaboration. The partnership is underpinned by the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and two decades of collaborative research, operational coordination and policy engagement. It aims to support national and regional security, empower partner nations with greater digital choices, make critical supply chains more resilient and strengthen global cyber resilience. The partnership will be chaired at a senior level by the Australian Deputy Secretary of the International and Security Group, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Indian Deputy National Security Advisor, with an annual Senior Officials Meeting to review priorities, stocktake progress and assess emerging risks.
Under Pillar 1 on Supply Chain Resilience, both sides will develop a bilateral mechanism for trusted vendor frameworks, promote cooperation on undersea cable connectivity through the Quad Partnership for Cable Connectivity and Resilience, collaborate on semiconductor supply chain protection, develop secure critical minerals supply chains and promote commercial trade diversification.
Under Pillar 2 on Critical Technology, both sides will advance international standards for trustworthy AI, accelerate research partnerships in advanced materials, telecommunications and biotechnology and explore joint commercial and government-led space sector initiatives.
Under Pillar 3 on Cybersecurity, both sides will consolidate bilateral mechanisms in cyber and ICT fields, strengthen cooperation in United Nations-mandated cyber processes, enhance data governance dialogue and create a cyber tech skill incubator hub.
Under Pillar 4 on Digital Resilience, both sides will promote India’s Digital Public Infrastructure principles across Indo-Pacific partner nations and develop locally adaptable digital ecosystems through joint capacity-building projects.
Under Pillar 5 on Defence Research Collaboration, both sides will build institutional connections between Australia’s Defence Science and Technology Group and India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation, deepen defence innovation ecosystems and focus on maritime science and technology capabilities. Lead coordination in India rests with the National Security Council Secretariat for Pillars 1 and 2, the Cyber Diplomacy Division of the Ministry of External Affairs for Pillar 3, the Oceania Division of the Ministry of External Affairs for Pillar 4 and the Ministry of Defence for Pillar 5.
Source: Press Information Bureau (PIB)
