NEW DELHI, April 2 (PTI): Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande on Sunday left for Australia on a four-day visit to explore ways to boost defence cooperation between the two countries.
Gen Pande will hold talks with top military brass of Australia on a range of issues relating to bilateral defence engagement.
“Gen Manoj Pande, the Chief of the Army Staff, proceeded on a visit to Australia commencing from April 3,” the Army said.
It said he will be meeting the senior military leadership of Australia with an aim of enhancing defence cooperation between the armed forces of the two nations.
“Gen Pande will interact with a host of senior military dignitaries from different services of the Australian defence forces,” the Army said in a statement.
Australia-India defence cooperation has been on an upward trajectory with a series of diverse engagements at different levels, in various domains.
These include bilateral visits by senior officers, reciprocal courses of instructions and training exercises, among others.
“The ever-expanding defence cooperation engagements encompassing a broad spectrum of activities have established a strong bonhomie between the two Armed Forces,” the Army said.
“The visit of the Chief of Army Staff to Australia will further strengthen the bonds of trust and understanding between the two armies,” it added.