Australia, India, and the U.S. Strengthen Maritime Intelligence Sharing in the Indian Ocean

New Delhi / Canberra / Washington July 1, 2025 – Australia, India, and the United States are working to build closer cooperation in maritime security, focusing on real-time intelligence sharing and joint monitoring of the Indian Ocean.

As the region faces growing challenges from illegal fishing and piracy to China’s expanding naval activity, the three countries are moving to improve Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA). This means better tracking of ships, faster sharing of surveillance data, and stronger coordination between their naval and intelligence systems.

“The Indian Ocean is now a key area for global trade and security,” said Rear Admiral (Ret.) Anil Chandra, former Indian Navy officer. “By working together, we can respond more effectively to threats.”

Australia, India, and the U.S. already take part in joint naval exercises like Malabar and RIMPAC, but officials now want to go further creating a network that allows live data sharing between military and civilian agencies. The goal is to detect suspicious activity early and take joint action when needed.

Key areas of cooperation being discussed include:

• Sharing satellite and drone surveillance in real-time
  
• Using artificial intelligence (AI) to track and analyze vessel movements
  
• Strengthening links between maritime fusion centers like India’s IFC-IOR, Australia’s Joint Maritime Command, and the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command
  
• Coordinating responses to natural disasters, piracy, and smuggling
  

The three countries are also concerned about the security of undersea cables, which carry much of the world’s internet traffic and lie across the Indian Ocean floor. Protecting these cables, as well as shipping routes and energy corridors, is seen as a shared priority.

“This isn’t just about defense, it’s about protecting infrastructure, trade, and regional stability,” said Claire Donovan, an analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute.

Leaders from all three countries have shown strong support for deeper cooperation. A formal intelligence-sharing framework is expected to be discussed at upcoming regional security meetings. 

As challenges in the Indo-Pacific continue to grow, Australia, India, and the U.S. are signaling a clear message: cooperation at sea is now essential, and working together is the best way to protect peace and security across the Indian Ocean.