Australia is a proven and a trusted ally of India, and the two countries share democratic ideals and similar objectives for a free and open Indo-Pacific, said Rajnath Singh, Minister of Defence.
Relations between India and Australia were elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership during the Prime Minister-level virtual summit meeting held in June 2020, said Singh.
India is one of Australia’s closest security partners and the government is focused on revitalizing Australia’s historically deep engagement with all of its partners in the Indo-Pacific, said Richard Marles, Minister of Defence for Australia.
Rajnath Singh, according to Marles, has played a key role in boosting India-Australian defence cooperation, and the two men look forward to working together to strengthen the defence component of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Marles arrived in India on 20 June, 2022, which marked the first high-level visit from Australia after newly elected Prime Minister Mr. Anthony Albanese took office on May 23, 2022.
Marles lay a wreath at the National War Memorial in the nation’s capital and received a Guard of Honor in the presence of Rajnath Singh. During the bilateral discussions on Wednesday, Singh will examine the defence collaboration between the two nations and look into fresh ideas to strengthen bilateral ties. The first high-level Australian visit since newly elected Prime Minister Anthony Albanese assumed office on May 23 is Marles’ tour of India.
