India and Australia sign agreements to reinforce military ties as strains stew in the South China Sea
India and Australia consented to two-sided military agreements Thursday in the "first step in deepening of the defense relationship" between the two Indo-Pacific powers, as indicated by proclamations from the two nations.
The deals were declared after a virtual summit between prime ministers Scott Morrison of Australia and Narendra Modi of India.
"India is comprehensively and rapidly committed to strengthening its relations with Australia. This is not only important for our two nations but also the Indo-Pacific region and the whole world," Modi said.
"We are committed to an open, inclusive, prosperous Indo-Pacific and India's role in that region, our region, will be critical in the years ahead," Morrison added.
The new settlements, known as the Australia-India Mutual Logisti...