New Delhi, Oct. 9 -- Australia and India have agreed to deepen defence cooperation, with a new pact focusing on submarine rescue operations and greater collaboration between their defence industries.

The agreement was signed during Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's visit to Canberra - the first visit by an Indian defence minister to Australia in over a decade.

At the inaugural Australia-India Defence Ministers' Dialogue, both sides discussed enhancing defence technology partnerships, joint military exercises, and increasing logistical cooperation.

As part of the agreement, India will now service and repair Royal Australian Navy ships at Indian shipyards when operating in the Indian Ocean, boosting regional maritime readiness.

Australia...