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The Royal Australian Navy and the Indian Navy have committed to enhancing their times to create a more stable Indo-Pacific, Defence confirmed this week.
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The agreement between the two navies was confirmed this week with a new Joint Guidance for the Australia-India ‘Navy to Navy’ relationship signed by both Vice Admiral Michael Noonan, Chief of the Royal Australian Navy and Admiral Karambir Singh, Chief of Naval Staff of the Indian Navy.
VADM Noonan welcomed the opportunity to work alongside the Navy’s Indian counterparts to develop a safer and more prosperous Indo-Pacific.
“We are proud to sign a new shared vision for working even closer with the Indian Navy to promote peace, security, stability and prosperity in our region,” VADM Noonan said.
“Our predecessors signed a Joint Guidance in New Delhi in 2007 and since then, our relationship has grown significantly in scope and sophistication.
“We look forward to even stronger ties between our two navies in the decades ahead.”
As part of the Joint Guidance agreed to by both navies, the countries will conduct regular dialogue, exchanges and training to enhance the capabilities of both navies.
According to Defence, the recent agreement is in line with the Australian-Indian Comprehensive Strategic Partnership that was signed in 2020.
The announcement comes following a naval exercise between India and Vietnam off the South China Sea.
The Indian Navy is also expected to conduct training with the Quad nations near Guam, as well as training exercises with the Philippines, Singapore and Indonesia.
According to the Indian Ministry of Defence, the training is being conducted with likeminded nations to support Freedom of Navigation.
“These maritime initiatives enhance synergy and coordination between the Indian Navy and friendly countries, based on common maritime interests and commitment towards Freedom of Navigation at sea,” a statement from Defence read.
[Related: US approves arms sale to India]
