The conversation comes amid a sustained growth in India-Australia defence cooperation

Indian Army Chief General MM Naravane and Australian Army Chief Lieutenant General Rick Burr discussed bilateral defence cooperation issues during a telephonic conversation on Wednesday.

The Indian Army’s Additional Directorate General of Public Information took to Twitter to say, “General MM Naravane #COAS had telephonic interaction with Lieutenant General Rick Burr, Chief of Army, #AustralianArmy and discussed issues of bilateral defence cooperation.”

The conversation comes amid a sustained growth in India-Australia defence cooperation.

In September 2021, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar welcomed Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women Marise Payne and Minister for Defence Peter Dutton, to New Delhi for the first India-Australia 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue.

During the talks, both the nations had resolved to further enhance the bilateral relationship.

“Both sides welcomed the elevation of the India-Australia relationship and noted with satisfaction the progress made in deepening bilateral cooperation in political, economic, security and defence-related matters,” India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had said.

With regards to strengthening cooperation in defence, both countries acknowledged “the increased defence cooperation between both countries and discussed initiatives to enhance defence engagements.”

Further, Australia invited India to participate in future Talisman Sabre exercises to empower operational compatibility between defence services.

“Both countries endeavour to increase cooperation in various defence technologies and continue the dialogue between the Defence Research & Development Organization of India and Defence Science & Technology Group of Australia,” the MEA added.