NEW DELHI, May 27 – Indian Defence Minister A K Antony (photo) will visit Australia to forge stronger military ties and discuss cooperation between the navies of both countries.
In his maiden visit to Australia beginning June 3, Antony will be accompanied by a high-level delegation including new Defence Secretary Radha Krishna Mathur, Press Trust of India (PTI) reported.
Ministry sources said both sides will discuss cooperation in counter terrorism and bilateral naval exercises during Antony’s four-day visit to Australia.
India and Australia are in the process of holding regular bilateral naval exercises and cooperation in maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region is expected to be discussed by Antony and counterpart Stephen Smith in Canberra.
In 2011, Smith visited India when the two countries agreed upon ensuring freedom of navigation in international waters against the backdrop of the controversy over the South China Sea.
The two ministers have also agreed to examine the possibility of undertaking a full-fledged bilateral naval exercise in future and institute a dialogue at semi-government level on defence matters.
-BERNAMA
