(10 Sep 2021) India sought investment from Australia's defence industry on Friday as the two countries discussed steps to bolster military ties and cooperation on maritime security in the Indo-Pacific with China flexing its muscles in the region.
India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said opportunities existed for co-development and co-production in emerging defence technology and mutual logistical support.
He made the statements after an hour-long meeting with visiting Australian Defence Minister Peter Dutton.
India, a major buyer of military equipment, had depended largely on the former Soviet Union during the Cold War.
But it has been diversifying its purchases by opting for U.S. equipment as well.
Dutton said in a statement after Friday's talks with Singh that the two countries have been seizing the momentum to drive greater practical progress between their defence forces.
Australia's foreign and defence ministers are visiting Indonesia, India, South Korea and the United States to bolster economic and security relationships within the Asia-Pacific region, where tensions are rising with China.
The United States, India, Japan and Australia together make up the four Indo-Pacific nations known as the Quad.
The Quad is seen as a counterweight to China, who critics say is flexing its military muscle in the South China Sea, East China Sea, Taiwan Strait and along its northern border with India.
The United States is likely to host the leaders of Quad countries later this month in a security dialogue.
China has called the so-called Quad an attempt to contain its ambitions.
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