India and Australia signed three agreements to expand defense ties, Rajnath Singh gave a strong message on terrorism.

News Topical, Digital Desk : India and Australia on Thursday signed three key agreements, including one on information sharing, to further expand bilateral defence and military ties after "positive" talks between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Australian counterpart Richard Marles in Canberra.

In addition to the agreement on information sharing, the two sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in submarine detection and a framework for joint staff talks. Rajnath Singh, who is on a two-day visit to Australia, also met Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong, focusing primarily on further energizing the relationship. He also paid tribute at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.

Both the Defense Ministers emphasized this

However, the two Defense Ministers emphasized the importance of enhancing cooperation with regional partners to help maintain a free, open, peaceful, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region and underscored their strong support for freedom of navigation and overflight and unimpeded trade in the region. This resolution comes against the backdrop of China's growing military assertiveness in the strategically important Indo-Pacific region.

At the Rajnath-Marles meeting, the two sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to deepen defence cooperation in a wide range of areas, including maritime security, defence industry cooperation and joint research in science and technology.

India's tough stance on terrorism

Rajnath Singh reiterated India's position on the threat of terrorism. In a clear reference to India's policy toward Pakistan, he stated that terror and talks cannot go together, terror and trade cannot coexist, and water and blood cannot flow together. He also urged the international community to unite against terrorism in all its forms. It is noteworthy that this is the first time in 12 years that an Indian Defense Minister has visited Australia.

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