India and Australia are in early talks to establish a bilateral agreement for real-time cybercrime data sharing.
Brendan Dowling, Australia’s ambassador for cyber affairs and critical technologies, highlighted the need for improved cooperation. “The current MLAT process is not smooth and impedes our ability to cooperate. Bilaterally, there’s room to improve,” he said. “Conceptually, both countries agree upon the need for it—what hasn’t happened is a framework to make this happen, though the intent is there.”
The move comes amid escalating cyber threats targeting critical infrastructure. A 2021 report by Recorded Future linked Chinese state-sponsored hackers to malware attacks on India’s power grid, causing a major blackout in Mumbai.
Dowling noted, “There is scope for more collaborations here, because nation-backed cyberattacks are today interfering with democratic processes, stealing sensitive commercial data, and disrupting civilian services.”
NS Nappinai, senior counsel at India’s Supreme Court, emphasized the importance of data sharing. “Data protection laws have built-in exemptions, particularly for data sharing inter alia for criminal investigations,” she said.
Both nations have previously collaborated under the Australia-India Cyber and Critical Technology Partnership, established in 2020. The proposed agreement aims to enhance this cooperation, enabling swift responses to cyber threats.
