Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held bilateral meeting with his Australian counterpart Peter Dutton in New Delhi on September 10, 2021.
Highlights
- Peter Dutton is on his first official visit to India along with a high-level delegation for a 2+2 ministerial dialogue.
- Both the countries are keen to work jointly in order to realise the full potential of India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
- Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is based on the shared vision of a free, open, inclusive and rule-based Indo-Pacific region.
- Australia and India have several stakes in peace, development, rules-based order, free flow of trade and economic growth in the region.
- Discussion between both sides was focused on:
- Bilateral defence cooperation
- Expansion of military engagements across the services,
- Enhancing defence information sharing,
- Cooperation in emerging defence technologies and
- Mutual logistics support.
Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
India and Australia share their bilateral relation as “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” because both the countries were the part of British Empire. Both of them are members of the Commonwealth of Nations. They share political, security, economic, lingual and sporting ties. Cricket and English language have emerged as a strong cultural connection between both. Military of both the countries meet for a regular joint naval exercise called AUSINDEX.
Diplomatic Relations
The diplomatic relations started in 1941 with the establishment of a Trade Office by India in Sydney, Australia. The office is currently represented by a High Commissioner in embassy at Canberra and the Consulate generals in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. Australia is having a High Commission in New Delhi and Consulates in Mumbai & Chennai.