New Delhi, Oct. 9 -- Defense Minister Rajnath Singh held "productive" bilateral meetings with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Defense Minister Richard Marles to explore new avenues for strengthening defense cooperation between the two nations.

Following the meeting, Prime Minister Albanese wrote on social media, "Australia and India's defense partnership keeps getting stronger -- built on trust, shared interests and a commitment to a peaceful, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific. Great to meet with the Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on his first trip to Australia for the Inaugural Australia-India Defence Ministers' Dialogue."

Singh described his discussions with the top Australian leadership as "productive", noting ...