Ahead of the first “two-two-two” ministerial dialogue between the two countries on Saturday, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and his Australian counterpart Peter Dutton said the bilateral defense and security partnership would be taken to ” higher “in delegation- level talks.
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This growing strategic convergence will be reflected in the expansion of military exchanges, combat exercises and mutual logistical support between the two countries, as well as in the strengthening of cooperation in maritime security, intelligence exchange and emerging defense technologies. .
The two ministers discussed the deteriorating human rights situation in Afghanistan, with intensive violations against women, children and minorities being seen in the landlocked country. “Australia also shared India’s concern that cross-border terrorism coming from Afghanistan would negatively affect other countries in the region,” a source said.
Both sides stressed that the international community must do everything possible to implement UN Security Council Resolution 2593, which requires that the territory of Afghanistan not be used for terrorism. and that the Taliban provide inclusive government respecting human rights.
After the more than one-hour meeting, Singh said: “We both want to work together to reach the full potential of the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (updated to this level in June 2020). partnership is based on our shared vision of a free, open, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific region. ”
“Both Australia and India have a huge stake in peace, development and free trade, order-based order and economic growth in the region. India is committed to building a strong partnership with Australia for the security and growth of the entire region, ”he said, inviting Australian industry to take advantage of India’s liberalized foreign direct investment policies in the sector. of defense production.
Dutton, in turn, said India’s leadership was central to Australia’s Indo-Pacific strategy and that it was in the “sovereign interest” of the two countries to align their strategies, capabilities and resources.
Australia agreed to “improve its stance” in the Indian Ocean region by increasing co-operation between the two air forces, maritime commitments and exercises, as well as strengthening mutual maritime domain awareness through greater information exchange and practical cooperation.
“We share one of the most important oceans in the world. We both want a stable, resilient and secure strategic neighborhood. And working together we can do better, ”Dutton said.
Both ministers congratulated Australia’s continued participation in Malabar’s quadrilateral naval exercise since last year, with this year’s edition off Guam in the western Pacific late last month.
With a firm eye on China, the Quad countries of India, Australia, the US and Japan had stated their intention to deter any “coercion” in the Indo-Pacific during a summit of their leaders on March 12. .