Both sides decided to explore greater cooperation with businesses and academics

Australia and India discussed strategic priorities, threat assessment, and collaboration in the Indo-Pacific region at the 5th Bilateral Cyber Policy Dialogue in New Delhi on Thursday.

The Cyber Policy Dialogue provides a bilateral platform to discuss a range of high-profile issues of mutual interest.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), discussions 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.

During the meeting, Australia and India decided to explore possibilities for more cooperation with businesses and academics, particularly through the Australia-India Cyber and Critical Technology Partnership. They also decided to organize a cyber bootcamp and a tech policy exchange in cooperation with partners in the Indo-Pacific region.

The Cyber Policy Dialogue was held under the auspices of 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.

Tobias Feakin, Ambassador for Cyber Affairs and Critical Technology, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Government of Australia, and Muanpuii Saiawi, Joint Secretary (Cyber Diplomacy Division), Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India, co-chaired the discussion.

The Indian delegation that took part in the meeting comprised senior representatives 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 Center (NCIIPC).

On the other hand, the Australian delegation comprised senior representatives from the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Home Affairs, Industry, Science, and Resources, as well as the Australian Federal Police.

The sixth India-Australia Cyber Policy Dialogue will be held in 2023.