On Thursday, India and Australia addressed strategic cyber collaboration, including cyber threat assessment, next-generation telecommunications capacity building, and Indo-Pacific cooperation. The fifth Bilateral Cyber Policy Dialogue between India and Australia was co-chaired by Muanpuii Saiawi, Joint Secretary, Cyber Diplomacy Division, Ministry of External Affairs, and Tobias Feakin, Ambassador for Cyber Affairs and Critical Technology, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia, according to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs.
The Cyber Policy Dialogue was held under the auspices of the India-Australia Framework Agreement on Cyber and Cyber-Enabled Critical Technology Cooperation, as well as the Plan of Action 2020-2025 for comprehensive and deeper cyber cooperation.
Senior officials from the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS), the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), CERT-In, and the National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre comprised the Indian delegation (NCIIPC).
Senior officials from the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Home Affairs, Industry, Science, and Resources, and the Australian Federal Police made up the Australian delegation.
The Cyber Policy Dialogue provides a bilateral forum for high-profile issues of mutual concern.
The dialogue covered strategic priorities, cyber threat assessment, next-generation telecommunications capacity building, including 5G technology, Indo-Pacific cooperation, and the latest developments in cyber at the United Nations, according to the statement.
According to the statement, Australia and India agreed to look into options for additional engagement with the commercial sector and academics, including through the Australia-India Cyber and Critical Technology Partnership.
In partnership with Indo-Pacific partners, Australia and India will undertake a cyber boot camp as well as cyber and tech policy exchanges, according to the MEA.
In 2023, India and Australia will hold their sixth Cyber Policy Dialogue.
