India-Australia Relations Transform from Sanctions to Strategic Partnership

Twenty-eight years ago, in May 1998, following the nuclear tests conducted in Pokhran, Australia suspended defense cooperation with India. Military exchanges were halted. Indian officers training in Australian defense colleges were sent back home.

This week, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Australia, both countries made an announcement. According to the announcement, Canberra will invite an Indian military instructor to serve in an Australian defense college. This journey from sanctions to strategic partnership is one of the most remarkable bilateral transformations in contemporary history.