With bilateral trade negotiations stalling and India choosing not to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement, attention has shifted away from economics and towards defence and security co-operation as the key to building a closer relationship between Australia and India.

This year, the two governments plan to sign a logistics-sharing agreement that will allow for reciprocal military access to facilities and operational support. Potential agreements for information sharing and maritime co-operation will facilitate greater military co-operation in the Indian Ocean.