By Our Special Correspondent
Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles said the "difficult issue" of how to restore close economic ties with China had brought India and Australia together.
Despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, the two sides met with Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, who is on a visit to Australia, met with the visiting Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles to discuss and discuss ways to enhance cooperation.
The two ministers 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.”
The U.S. press release said the defense ministers discussed opportunities for industrial cooperation between the two countries "to increase the resilience of supply chains and provide capabilities to their respective defense forces." They agreed to explore ways to "enhance relations and opportunities between Indian and Australian defense industrial bases".
The two leaders agreed to build 'Operational Engagement' under the India-Australia Mutual Logistics Support Arrangement and appreciated the expanding diversity and regularity of defense exercises and exchanges between the two countries.
In June 2020, India and Australia enhanced their bilateral strategic partnership ending in 2009 into a comprehensive strategic partnership. The MoD reiterated their commitment to implementing a comprehensive strategic partnership based on mutual trust, common interests and shared values, democracy and the rule of law.
The ministers reviewed the strategic challenges and the regional security situation and reiterated their partnership goal of an open, free, inclusive, prosperous and rule-based Indo-Pacific region. The ministers also discussed further opportunities for industrial cooperation to increase the resilience of supply chains and provide capabilities to the relevant defense forces. Both sides agreed to explore ways to maximize connections and opportunities.
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