India, Australia sign air-to-air refuelling pact for defence

For several years, the Indian and Australian Navies have developed operational practices during joint training, such as Exercise Malabar, as well as in actual counter-submarine patrols. Their efforts aim to deter submarines from China's People's Liberation Army Navy from entering the waters of the Indian Ocean, which New Delhi considers its sphere of influence.

- AJAI SHUKLA

On Thursday, Australia and India took their cooperation a step further. The two nations signed an arrangement allowing the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and the Indian armed forces to conduct air-to-air refuelling.

Australia's Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy and India's Minister for Defence Rajnath Singh announced the agreement during bilateral discussions on Thursday.