Canberra/New Delhi, Oct 9 (UNI) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today reaffirmed India’s uncompromising stance on terrorism, emphasising that meaningful dialogue and cooperation cannot coexist with the menace of terror.
“Terror and talks cannot go together, terror and trade cannot go together and water and blood cannot flow together,” the Defence Minister said while urging the international community to come together against all forms of terrorism.
Rajnath held a wide-ranging bilateral meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence of Australia, Richard Marles, in Canberra, during his official two-day visit to Australia, a Defence Ministry statement said.
The meeting marked five years of the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with both sides reaffirming their shared commitment to deepening defence cooperation across a wide spectrum, including military exercises, maritime security, defence industry collaboration and joint research in science and technology.
He underlined the deep-rooted cultural ties and shared democratic values that underpin India-Australia relations, noting that the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has witnessed significant expansion in defence cooperation aligned with the overall trajectory of bilateral relations.
Following the meeting, three crucial agreements were signed — agreement on information sharing, an MoU on submarine search and rescue cooperation and terms of reference on the establishment of joint staff talks.
Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, briefly joined the meeting and lauded India’s remarkable economic progress under the leadership of Narendra Modi, particularly in the fields of defence, cyber security and IT.
He also commended India’s success in lifting millions out of poverty and expressed enthusiasm for strengthening bilateral cooperation in the coming years.
A Joint Statement was also issued following the meeting, underscoring the growing depth and mutual trust that define the India-Australia Defence partnership.
Earlier in the day, Rajnath Singh was received by Assistant Minister of Defence of Australia Mr Peter Khalil.
As part of his engagements, a live air-to-air refuelling demonstration was organised onboard the KC-30A Multirole Transport and Tanker Aircraft (MRTT), refuelling an F-35 aircraft en route to Canberra.
It showcased a demonstration of growing interoperability following last year’s Implementation Arrangement on Air-to-Air Refuelling.
