New Delhi: Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh and Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles held a bilateral meeting to enhance defence cooperation, here today.
The two Ministers reviewed the existing defence cooperation activities which have been increasing despite challenges of COVID-19 pandemic and discussed ways to enhance further cooperation.
The Ministers reviewed the defence and security pillars of the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
They reaffirmed their commitment towards implementation of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership based on mutual trust and understanding, common interests and shared values, of democracy and rule of law.
They welcomed the growing diversity and frequency of defence exercises and exchanges between the two countries and undertook to build upon operational engagements through the India-Australia Mutual Logistics Support Arrangement.
Both Ministers committed to give fillip to the India-Australia Joint Working Group (JWG) on Defence Research and Materiel Cooperation, which will meet in Australia later this year.
This JWG is a crucial mechanism for boosting ties between defence industries, official release said.
The Ministers discussed further opportunities for industrial cooperation between India and Australia to increase the resilience of supply chains and deliver capabilities to their respective defence forces.
Both sides agreed to explore means to grow connections and opportunities between Indian and Australian defence industrial bases.
