Defence Minister Rajnath Singh landed in Canberra on Thursday, boosting India‑Australia ties in the Indo‑Pacific. The visit signals both countries’ shared goal of keeping the region free, open and secure.
At the airport, Australian Defence officials Peter Khalil and Vice Admiral Justin Jones welcomed Mr Singh warmly. A formal ceremony at Parliament House featured a Welcome to Country smoke ritual, an Aboriginal tradition that honors the original land stewards and shows goodwill.
During the ceremony, Rajnath Singh met Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, who also holds the Defence portfolio. The two sparred on expanding joint defence work and saw the talks as forward‑looking. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joined the meeting, shaking hands with Mr Singh in a photo that highlighted their partnership. The trio’s gathering marked a clear signal of unity between the two Indo‑Pacific allies.
While traveling from Sydney to Canberra on a KC‑30A Royal Australian Air Force tanker, Mr Singh watched an F‑35 jet refuel over the air. The session underscored a new 2024 agreement that lets the Indian and Australian armed forces share air‑to‑air refueling.
The mission fits India’s broader strategy to deepen security cooperation in the Indo‑Pacific and is part of an ongoing partnership with Canberra. ()
Source: aninews
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