- Afghanistan, maritime security in Indo-Pacific, cooperation in multilateral formats & other related topics discussed
- Emphasis on ensuring free flow of trade, adherence to international rules & sustainable economic growth in entire region
New Delhi. 11 September 2021. It was an event observed in the region with interest and by the world with concernment. India and Australia met for the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue which signifies the importance of the India – Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Both the nations share an important partnership which is based on a shared vision of free, open, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. As two democracies they have a common interest in peace and prosperity of the entire region.
While welcoming Australia’s Minister of Defence Peter Dutton and Minister of Foreign Affairs Marise Payne Indian Defence minister Rajnath Singh stated, ” we have discussed various institutional frameworks for wide ranging collaboration including defence cooperation and fight against global pandemic. We exchanged views on Afghanistan, Maritime Security in the Indo-Pacific, cooperation in multilateral formats and other related topics.”
During the discussions both sides emphasised the need to ensure free flow of trade, adherence to international rules and norms and sustainable economic growth in the entire region. On the bilateral defence cooperation they decided to expand military engagements across services, facilitate greater defence information sharing and to work closely for mutual logistic support. In the context of Defence Cooperation, both sides were glad to note continued participation of Australia in the Malabar Exercises. Both, Australia and India have tremendous stakes in peace, development and free flow of trade, rules-based order and economic growth in the region.
“Our discussions today focused on our bilateral defence cooperation and expanding military engagements across Services, enhancing defence information sharing, cooperation in emerging defence technologies and mutual logistics support. Both sides noted with happiness that Australia joined the Malabar Exercise in 2020. In this context we also expressed satisfaction in the continued participation of Australia in Malabar Exercise this year. I apprised Minister Dutton about our recent efforts towards “Atmanirbhar Bharat” and growing innovation ecosystem in India. We discussed opportunities to work together in Defence Science and Technology areas. I invited Australian industry to take advantage of India’s liberalised foreign direct investment policies in the defence sector. We both agreed that there are opportunities of bilateral collaboration for co-development and co production. We invited Australia to engage India’s growing defence industry and to collaborate in co-production and co-development of defence equipment,” added the Defence Minister of India.
