Christopher Pyne on India mission to promote export of defence equipment, meets Defence Minister

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Delegation led by Mr Christopher Pyne, Australia’s Defence Industry Minister today met Indian Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi. Photo: Twitter

By SAT News Desk

NEW DELHI/MELBOURNE, 17 January: India is one of the biggest importers of defense equipment in the world and Australia is making efforts to get a slice of this market. Minister for Defence Industry, Christopher Pyne is on this mission while attending the Raisina Dialogue, India’s flagship foreign and strategic policy conference which brings together senior officials from across the world to discuss issues of global significance.

Christopher Pyne, today met with India’s Minister for Defence, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, in New Delhi, India.

Visiting India for the first time, Minister Pyne reflected on the progress in the Australia-India bilateral defense relationship.

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“India is a significant security partner for Australia in the Indian Ocean and the broader Indo-Pacific region. This is reflected in the progress we have made in our bilateral defense relationship since the endorsement of the Framework for Security Cooperation in 2014.

“Our shared interests include maritime security, regional stability and countering terrorism.

“Australia recognizes India’s increased engagement in the South East Asia region through the implementation of the Modi Government’s ‘Act East’ policy.

“India is making a significant investment in the capability of its defense forces and seeking to build its industrial base.

“This presents terrific export opportunities for Australian defense companies, such as Thales Australia, who are currently bidding to supply minesweeping equipment to India that was developed in Australia, as well as F90 rifles to the Indian Army. If successful, and subject to export control requirements, this will lead to the creation of jobs at Thales Rydalmere and Lithgow,” Minister Pyne said.

“Likewise, the Australian Government is investing $200 billion to modernize Australia’s defense capability while strengthening our defense industry over the next decade,” Minister Pyne said.

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Photo: Twitter

Minister Pyne noted the importance of the new Joint Working Group on Defence Research and Materiel Cooperation in progressing cooperation between India and Australia’s respective defense industries.

“Such cooperation represents an opportunity for India and Australia to identify opportunities for the defense industry, science, and material engagement,” he said.

Minister Pyne will also address India’s National Defence College while in India.

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Neeraj Nanda

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