India, March 3 -- The developments in the Indo-Pacific, where China seeks to boost its presence, will come into sharp focus this week as India's chief of defence staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan on Tuesday begins his four-day official visit to Australia, with deepening bilateral cooperation in the vast maritime expanse figuring on the agenda.

"This visit underscores the growing engagement between the two nations which share a commitment towards strengthening diplomatic and military collaboration under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and fostering greater cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region," the defence ministry said on the eve of the visit.

Both India and Australia, along with the other Quad nations the US and Japan, stand f...