Rajnath Singh signs key defence pacts with Australia, reiterates Indian stand on terror

Defence minister Rajnath Singh signed key defence pacts and witnessed a live air-to-air refuelling exercise during his visit to Australia, noting that deep-rooted cultural ties and shared democratic values underpin the bilateral relationship.

Singh reiterated India's stand against terrorism, saying that terror and talks cannot go side by side. Singh held an extended meeting with his counterpart and deputy prime minister Richard Marles in Canberra during his two-day visit, which also marked five years of the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Officials said both sides committed to deepening defence cooperation across a wide spectrum, including military exercises, maritime security, defence industry collaboration and joint research in science and technology.


"The talks culminated in the signing of three key agreements - an agreement on information sharing, an MoU on submarine search and rescue cooperation and terms of reference on the establishment of joint staff talks," they added.

India and Australia have been steadily increasing the complexity and frequency of joint training exercises and have been increasing interoperability through the implementation of the Mutual Logistics Support Arrangement. India has been invited by Australia for participation in submarine rescue exercise Black Carillon.