<h1>Governments agree to deepen defence partnership, 10-year framework talks, expand defence industrial and tech cooperation amid trade tensions</h1> Two governments held a virtual intersessional dialogue addressing trade and investment disputes, critical minerals, energy security, and civil nuclear cooperation against a backdrop of recent tariff tensions. They agreed to pursue enhanced defence cooperation, including negotiating a new 10-year framework for a major defence partnership and expanding defence industrial, science, and technology collaboration under an existing COMPACT initiative. The parties reaffirmed regional security commitments through a multilateral partnership and signalled intent to continue consultations to translate political commitments into binding or implementing instruments affecting trade, defence procurement, and strategic cooperation.