India, Australia sign 3 pacts to deepen defence ties

India and Australia on Thursday signed three key agreements to deepen their military ties including a pact on information sharing, a memorandum of understanding on submarine search and rescue cooperation and terms of reference on the establishment of joint staff talks between the two armed forces, the defence ministry said.

- HT Correspondent

The agreements were signed in Canberra after defence minister Rajnath Singh held talks with Australian deputy prime minister Richard Marles (who also holds the defence portfolio), with the two leaders reaffirming their shared commitment to deepening defence cooperation in areas including military exercises, maritime security, defence industry collaboration and joint research in science and technology.

The meeting marked five years of the India-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership.