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Foreign Policy: India and Australia on Thursday signed three major agreements including information sharing.
Rajnath Singh is currently on a two-day visit to Australia.
Foreign Policy: India and Australia on Thursday signed three major agreements including information sharing. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles further expanded their bilateral defense and military relations in Canberra. Rajnath Singh is currently on a two-day visit to Australia. He also met Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong. The two Defense Ministers reaffirmed the importance of enhancing cooperation with regional partners to help maintain a free, open, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific. Underlined its strong support for freedom of navigation and overflight and unimpeded trade in the region. In addition to the agreement on information sharing, the two sides finalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will provide for cooperation on submarine detection.
Terror and talks do not go together
Both countries reaffirmed their shared commitment to deepen defense cooperation across a wide spectrum, including maritime security, defense industry cooperation and joint research in science and technology. In his speech, Singh reiterated India’s position regarding the threat of terrorism. Making a clear reference to India’s policy towards Pakistan, he said that terror and talks cannot go together, terror and trade cannot go together and water and blood cannot flow together. The Defense Minister also urged the international community to unite against all forms of terrorism. New Delhi says the Indus Water Treaty will remain on hold until Islamabad stops supporting cross-border terrorism.
Relations in defense sector will become stronger
Singh said both sides also reaffirmed the importance of the India-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership. He said I highlighted the rapid growth of India’s defense industry and India’s growing reputation as a reliable source of high-quality defense technology globally. The Defense Minister said that both sides discussed the possibility of deeper partnership in the defense industry. He said that I thank Australia for its steadfast support on cross-border terrorism and shared regional stability. Together we will deepen cooperation for a free, open and resilient Indo-Pacific. They also agreed to continue deployment of aircraft from each other’s areas to build operational familiarity. The ministers said that Australia-India-Indonesia trilateral format will be adopted to deal with common challenges.
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