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India is participating in Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025, a major multinational military exercise led by Australia and the United States, now in its 11th edition. The exercise commenced on July 13, 2025, and includes over 35,000 military personnel from 19 nations.

About Exercise Talisman Sabre:

• Origin & Nature:
  • A biennial bilateral military exercise between Australia and the United States since 2005.
  • Designed to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific and strengthen interoperability and strategic partnerships among allies.
• Multinational Participation (2025):
  • Participants: Australia, United States, India, Canada, Fiji, France, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Tonga, United Kingdom.
  • Observers: Malaysia and Vietnam.
• Geographical Scope: Exercises are being conducted across Queensland, Northern Territory, Western Australia, New South Wales, Christmas Island, and for the first time, in Papua New Guinea (outside Australian territory).

Significance for India and the Indo-Pacific:

• Strengthens India's defence diplomacy and military interoperability with Indo-Pacific allies.
• Reinforces commitment to collective security and rules-based international order.
• Enhances India's operational exposure in multidomain warfighting scenarios alongside major powers.