Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh attended the ‘2+2’ Ministerial Dialogue between India and Australia and held a bilateral meeting with his Australian counterpart this week. During his address he said that the 2+2 dialogue signifies the importance of the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership which is based on a shared vision of free, open, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. He added that as two democracies the two countries have a common interest in peace and prosperity of the entire region. During the discussions both sides emphasised the need to ensure free flow of trade, adherence to international rules and norms and sustainable economic growth in the entire region. On the bilateral defence cooperation, the two sides decided to expand military engagements across services, facilitate greater defence information sharing and to work closely for mutual logistic support. Raksha Mantri also invited Australia to engage in India’s growing defence industry.
8TH EDITION OF INDIAN ARMY CHIEFS’ CONCLAVE
The 8th edition of Indian Army Chief’s Conclave, a gathering of serving and former Chiefs of Army Staff of the Indian Army is being organised at New Delhi from September 16 to 18, 2021. The highlight of the three-day event will be the invite extended to former Chiefs of the Nepali Army, who were also Honorary Chiefs of the Indian Army. The Conclave is a forum for exchange of ideas between the old guard and the current leadership of the Indian Army.
INDIAN ARMED FORCES PARTICIPATES IN EXERCISE SCO ‘PEACEFUL MISSION 2021’ IN RUSSIA
The 6th edition of Exercise PEACEFUL MISSION, a Joint Counter Terrorism Exercise, is being hosted by Russia from September 13 to 25, 2021. The Indian contingent participating in the exercise comprises of an all arms combined force of 200 personnel including 38 personnel from the IAF with two IL-76 aircraft. The exercise will enable sharing of best practices between the Armed Forces of SCO nations.
