Australia Navy Chief visits Delhi to enhance maritime cooperation
- In Reports
- 09:46 PM, Apr 03, 2024
- Myind Staff
Against the backdrop of escalating Chinese aggression and potential threats in the Indo-Pacific region, India and Australia have committed to strengthening cooperation and increasing operational engagement in maritime affairs. This decision was a focal point of discussions during the ongoing four-day visit of Vice-Admiral Mark Hammond, the chief of the Royal Australian Navy.
Hammond engaged in extensive discussions with Admiral R. Hari Kumar, his Indian counterpart in the Navy, as well as with Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Air Staff V.R. Chaudhari, and Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane in Delhi.
During his visit, Hammond is scheduled to tour the Southern Naval Command in Kochi and the Western Naval Command in Mumbai, where he will engage with the respective Commanders-in-Chief. Additionally, he will visit key naval facilities including INS Vikrant, the integrated simulator complex, the Mumbai naval dockyard, and Mazagon Dock Ltd.
The Navy, in a statement regarding the talks, emphasised that discussions were centered on enhancing bilateral maritime cooperation through avenues such as increased operational engagements, training exchanges, and information sharing.
Highlighting shared perspectives on various contemporary maritime security matters in the Indo-Pacific, India and Australia have collaborated closely in several bilateral and multilateral forums, including the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS), ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting Plus (ADMM Plus), and QUAD.
Last year, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also toured the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant. In September 2023, India, Australia, and Indonesia conducted their inaugural joint maritime exercise, in which INS Sahyadri took part. Australia regards India as one of its key security partners.
Following the notable involvement of the Royal Australian Ship HMAS Warramunga in MILAN 24 and the recent joint maritime exercises, the visit by the chief of the Royal Australian Navy serves to reinforce the robust and enduring bilateral relations between the two naval forces, stated the Navy.
Image Source: ANI
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