India and Australia convened their fifth bilateral Cyber Policy Dialogue in New Delhi. The two countries discussed strategic cooperation in the cyber sector, including cyber threat assessment, next-generation telecommunications capacity building and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the dialogue was held under the India-Australia Framework Arrangement on Cyber and Cyber-Enabled Critical Technology Cooperation and Plan of Action 2020-2025 for a comprehensive and deeper cyber cooperation. It was co-chaired by Muanpuii Saiawi, joint secretary, cyber diplomacy division, MEA, Government of India, and Dr. Tobias Feakin, ambassador, cyber affairs and critical technology, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Government of Australia.
The Cyber Policy Dialogue provides a bilateral platform to discuss a range of high-profile issues of mutual interest. Discussions at the dialogue included strategic priorities, cyber threat assessment, next generation telecommunications (including 5G technology) capacity building and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, and the latest developments in cyber at the United Nations. Australia and India agreed to explore opportunities for further collaboration with the private sector and academia, including through the Australia-India Cyber and Critical Technology Partnership. Australia and India will jointly conduct a cyber bootcamp, as well as cyber and tech policy exchanges, in collaboration with Indo-Pacific partners.
