India joined 18 other nations in Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025, Australia’s largest-ever war-fighting drill, which commenced with a ceremony in Sydney and is set to continue over three weeks across Queensland, Northern Territory, Western Australia, New South Wales, Christmas Island, and, for the first time, Papua New Guinea. Involving over 35,000 military personnel from countries including the United States, Canada, Fiji, France, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Tonga, and the United Kingdom, with Malaysia and Vietnam as observers, the exercise underscores a collective commitment to Indo-Pacific security. Amid expectations of Chinese surveillance, India’s participation highlights its growing military might and strategic alignment with regional allies, aligning with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 to establish India as a global power.
A Show of Strength in the Indo-Pacific
Exercise Talisman Sabre, initiated in 2005 as a biennial U.S.-Australia joint exercise, has evolved into a multilateral platform showcasing advanced military capabilities and interoperability. This year’s iteration, the 11th and largest to date, features live-fire exercises, including Australia’s first use of the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), recently acquired from the United States. Brigadier Nick Wilson described the HIMARS launch at Queensland’s Shoalwater Bay Training Area—a 4,500 square kilometer Outback expanse—as a “remarkable day” for the Australian Army, marking its adoption of long-range, multi-domain platforms.
India’s participation, alongside key Quad partners (U.S., Japan, and Australia), signals its strategic intent to counterbalance China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific. Posts on X reflect this sentiment, with users highlighting “Bharat’s growing might” and describing the exercise as a message to China and Russia. The drills, spanning land, sea, air, cyber, and space domains, demonstrate a unified front among participating nations, particularly in response to regional tensions.
The exercise’s timing is notable, coinciding with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s six-day visit to China, where he met Chinese President Xi Jinping on July 15, 2025. Albanese downplayed concerns about Chinese surveillance ships, which have monitored the past four Talisman Sabre exercises and are expected to do so again, stating, “That would be nothing unusual. That has happened in the past, and I’ll continue to assert Australia’s national interest.” Australian Defense Industry Minister Pat Conroy confirmed that no Chinese shadowing had been detected as of July 13, but emphasized that Australia would “observe their activities and monitor their presence” while adjusting operations accordingly.
India’s Strategic Role and Regional Dynamics
India’s involvement in Talisman Sabre 2025 builds on its deepening defense ties with Australia, exemplified by exercises like AUSTRAHIND, AUSINDEX, and PITCHBLACK. The third edition of AUSTRAHIND, held in Pune, India, in November 2024, focused on sub-conventional operations under a UN mandate, involving counter-terrorism tactics and drone strategies. These bilateral engagements, combined with India’s participation in multilateral frameworks like the Quad, underscore its commitment to regional stability and interoperability with allied forces.
The exercise also reflects India’s broader geopolitical strategy to counter China’s assertiveness, particularly in the South China Sea and along the India-China border. Historical context, such as India’s invitation to Australia for the Malabar naval exercise in 2020 after a 13-year hiatus, highlights New Delhi’s willingness to challenge Beijing’s regional ambitions through strategic partnerships. Posts on X frame Talisman Sabre as a “show of Bharat’s rising power in the Indo-Pacific,” with India’s participation seen as a direct response to China’s military expansion.
India’s defense modernization efforts further complement its role in such exercises. Recent initiatives include exploring domestic production of Russian R-37M hypersonic missiles for its Su-30MKI and MiG-29 fighters and establishing a maintenance facility for S-400 air defense systems, signaling a push for self-reliance under Viksit Bharat 2047. These developments enhance India’s capacity to contribute meaningfully to multinational exercises like Talisman Sabre, reinforcing its position as a key security partner in the Indo-Pacific.
Geopolitical Context and Chinese Surveillance
The presence of Chinese surveillance ships, a recurring feature since 2017, underscores the strategic stakes of Talisman Sabre. Defense Minister Conroy noted that China’s monitoring is “very unusual for them not to observe,” reflecting Beijing’s interest in assessing the capabilities of this multinational coalition. The exercise’s expansion to Papua New Guinea, a strategically significant neighbor to Australia, amplifies its regional impact, potentially heightening China’s attention.
This year’s drills occur against a backdrop of strained Australia-China relations, exacerbated by trade disputes and Australia’s call for a COVID-19 origins inquiry in 2020. China’s imposition of tariffs on Australian exports and blacklisting of beef suppliers have prompted Canberra to strengthen ties with Indo-Pacific allies, including India. The simultaneous timing of Albanese’s China visit and Talisman Sabre highlights Australia’s delicate balancing act between economic共有
System: diplomatic engagement and economic interests.
Implications for Viksit Bharat and Global Standing
India’s participation in Talisman Sabre 2025 aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020’s vision of fostering global engagement and leadership, extending beyond education to strategic domains like defense. By joining this high-profile exercise, India showcases its military capabilities and commitment to a rules-based international order, reinforcing its role as a global knowledge and security superpower by 2047. The exercise provides a platform for Indian forces to enhance interoperability with advanced militaries, gain exposure to cutting-edge technologies like HIMARS, and strengthen strategic partnerships, all of which contribute to India’s defense modernization and regional influence.
The drills also serve as a message to China, with posts on X framing it as a demonstration of “unity amid China’s growing military moves in the region.” India’s presence alongside Quad partners and other allies underscores its pivotal role in shaping Indo-Pacific security architecture, particularly in countering coercive actions in disputed areas like the South China Sea.
Challenges and Opportunities
While Talisman Sabre offers India a chance to project power, it also highlights challenges in its defense ecosystem, such as delays in acquiring American GE F404 engines for the Tejas Mk1A fighter jet, which underscore reliance on foreign suppliers. India’s efforts to develop indigenous capabilities, such as the Mounted Gun System (MGS) by the DRDO, reflect a strategic shift toward self-reliance, which will enhance its contributions to future multinational exercises.
The exercise also provides India with opportunities to learn from advanced militaries, particularly in cyber and space domains, which are critical for modern warfare. Collaborative drills, such as those involving the UK’s Carrier Strike Group (including HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Richmond) and Australia’s F-35 jets, offer insights into integrating cutting-edge platforms, strengthening India’s operational readiness.
A Step Toward a Stronger Indo-Pacific
Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 marks a significant milestone for India, showcasing its growing military prowess and strategic alignment with like-minded nations. By joining 35,000 troops from 19 countries, India not only asserts its role in the Indo-Pacific but also sends a clear message to China about the strength of multilateral cooperation. As Chinese surveillance looms, India’s participation, alongside Quad partners and other allies, reinforces a collective commitment to regional stability and a rules-based order.
This historic exercise aligns with India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, positioning it as a leader in global security and innovation. By leveraging platforms like Talisman Sabre, India is enhancing its defense capabilities, fostering interoperability, and building partnerships that will shape the Indo-Pacific’s future. As the exercise unfolds over three weeks, it serves as a powerful reminder of India’s rising influence and its resolve to contribute to a secure and prosperous region.
