At the 2+2 meet, India also invited Australia to invest in its growing defence industry

India and Australia exchanged views on Afghanistan, Maritime Security in the Indo-Pacific, cooperation in multilateral formats and other related topics at the first 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue held on Saturday.

On 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, India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said.

In a statement issued after the talks, Singh also said India has invited Australia to engage in the country's growing defence industry and to collaborate in co-production and co-development of defence equipment.

Defence Minister Singh said that there had been in-depth and wide ranging discussions with Minister Payne and Minister Dutton on bilateral and regional issues.

"We have discussed various institutional frameworks for wide ranging collaboration including defence cooperation and fight against global pandemic. We exchanged views on Afghanistan, Maritime Security in the Indo-Pacific, cooperation in multilateral formats and other related topics," Singh said.

Defence Minister Singh noted that the 2+2 dialogue signifies the importance of the India–Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

"India and Australia share an important partnership which is based on a shared vision of free, open, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. As two democracies we have a common interest in peace and prosperity of the entire region," he said.

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, India's Defence Minister said in the statement.