COVER STORY

New Delhi: The 10ᵗʰ edition of Defence Policy Talks between India and Australia took place in New Delhi on May 08, 2026. The Indian delegation was led by Joint Secretary Shri Amitabh Prasad, while the Australian side was headed by First Assistant Secretary, International Policy Mr Bernard Philip. The discussion reaffirmed the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Both sides welcomed the recent advancements in bilateral defence cooperation. The establishment of the annual India-Australia Defence Ministers’ Dialogue in 2025 has enhanced consultation and reflected the growing trust between the two countries.

The two sides acknowledged the recent finalisation of key implementing arrangements and continued high momentum of first-time milestones. They looked forward to holding the first India-Australia Joint Staff Talks later this year.

The co-chairs reviewed the implementation of outcomes from the 2024 India-Australian Annual Leaders’ Summit to renew and strengthen the Joint Declaration on Defence & Security Cooperation; and develop a Joint Maritime Security Collaboration Roadmap.

Both sides welcomed the increased frequency and complexity of joint exercises. They expressed commitment to deepen maritime cooperation and looked forward to continued collaboration between the two countries, enhancing strategic ties & fostering a shared commitment to regional stability.

India and Australia agreed for next steps to deepen interoperability across all domains. Reaffirming their Defence Ministers’ ambitions, they agreed to continue enhancing cooperation with regional partners.

Both nations discussed variouss training exchanges that have taken place such as Gen Bipin Rawat Memorial Young Officers Exchange Programme and the visits between Indian Military Academy and Royal Military College, Duntroon. Such training exchanges build mutual trust, people-to-people connections and sharing of each other’s regional & global perspectives.

The two sides acknowledged the strategic importance of defence industrial collaboration and engagement. They welcomed efforts to facilitate defence industry integration including the first India-Australia Defence Industry Roundtable in Sydney in 2025, Australia’s first defence trade mission to India in 2025, and the defence industry strategic roundtable at Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi in 2026.

New Delhi: In a landmark achievement in high-altitude medical care and humanitarian outreach, the Indian Army successfully conducted a four-day Advanced Surgical Eye Camp, ‘Op Netra 1.0,’ at 153 General Hospital, Leh from April 27-30, 2026. The camp was inaugurated by GOC 14 Corps, Lt Gen Hitesh Bhalla.

A testament to seamless civil-military cooperation, the camp facilitated screening of a total 950 patients from across seven districts of Ladakh, including remote areas of Chushul, Hanle, Durbuk, Demchok, Fukche, Drass, Zanskar, Batalik, Chumathang, and Turtuk.

The surgical team, led by Brigadier (Dr.) Sanjay Kumar Mishra successfully performed 214 specialized procedures, including 197 complex cataract surgeries and 10 vitreo-retinal interventions, along with advanced procedures such as Glued Intraocular Lens implantation, Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery, vitrectomy, pterygium excision, and intraocular lens repositioning and restored vision of 15 complete visually impaired patients.

A key highlight of the operation was the launch of the indigenously developed Op Netra App by 153 General Hospital. It helps in streamlining patient management by enabling end-to-end digitization of records, enhancing diagnostic accuracy, and automating surgical scheduling through QR code-based identification, thereby ensuring patient safety and operational efficiency in a high-volume, high-altitude setting.

This initiative contributes to the ongoing nationwide effort that has delivered over 2,500 sight-restoring surgeries since November 2025, following similar camps conducted in Udhampur, Dehradun, Jaipur, Bagdogra, and Gorakhpur. The mission was further enabled by the Indian Air Force through the airlift of advanced medical equipment, ensuring that the standard of care matched the highest benchmarks.

The camp concluded with a closing ceremony attended by the Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Ladakh, VK Saxena and General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command Lt Gen Pratik Sharma. The successful conduct of Op Netra 1.0 under the leadership of Director General Armed Forces Medical Services, Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, reinforces the Government’s unwavering commitment to the principle of “Nation First” and to ensuring that no citizen, regardless of geography, is deprived of essential healthcare services.