India and Australia Explore Joint Defence Hardware Production

New Delhi, Oct 9 (PTI): In a concerted effort to bolster bilateral strategic ties, India and Australia discussed the potential for joint production of military hardware during the meeting between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Australian counterpart Richard Marles in Canberra. This dialogue signifies a move towards further strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on his two-day visit to Australia, characterized his discussions with Marles as "productive". The talks reviewed the entire scope of India-Australia defence cooperation, encompassing areas such as defence industry collaboration, cyber defence initiatives, maritime security, and addressing regional challenges.

Singh emphasized on social media the significance of the comprehensive strategic partnership between India and Australia. He shed light on India's swift advancements in its defence industry and its evolving role as a reliable source of high-quality defence technology on a global scale.

The defence minister revealed that potential avenues for more profound defence industry partnerships were explored during the discussions. He expressed gratitude towards Australia for its unwavering support in countering cross-border terrorism and its commitment to shared regional stability, voicing optimism about deepening cooperation for a free, open, and resilient Indo-Pacific region.

Further, Singh held a meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, during which the Prime Minister reminisced about his cherished ties with India. Singh expressed confidence that the India-Australia bilateral relationship would continue to deepen and strengthen over time.

The Indian and Australian defence collaborations have noted significant expansion in recent years. This progress includes enhancements in capacity-building, joint training exercises, ship visits, and bilateral exercises. The elevating of India and Australia's bilateral relations from a strategic partnership to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) in 2020 marks a notable milestone in their continued collaboration.