Director General of Indian Defence Intelligence Agency to Commence Visit to Australia Tomorrow
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Synopsis
The Defence Intelligence Agency DG, Lieutenant General D.S. Rana, will visit Australia from March 19 to 21 to enhance defence intelligence cooperation and strategic engagement between India and Australia, focusing on regional security and intelligence-sharing mechanisms.
Key Takeaways
- Visit aims to strengthen bilateral defence intelligence cooperation.
- High-level discussions with Australian Defence officials planned.
- Focus on intelligence-sharing and regional security.
- Visit includes wreath-laying at the Australian War Memorial.
- Emphasis on the AUSTRAHIND military exercise for interoperability.
New Delhi, March 18 (NationPress) In a bid to fortify bilateral defence intelligence collaboration and elevate strategic ties between New Delhi and Canberra, Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) Director General (DG) Lieutenant General D.S. Rana will embark on a visit to Australia from March 19 to 21, as confirmed by an official on Tuesday.
Throughout the visit, the DIA DG will engage in discussions with prominent Australian Defence officials, such as the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Defence, the Director General of National Intelligence (DGNI), the Chief of Defence Intelligence, and the Chief of Joint Operations of the Australian Defence Forces (ADF).
The high-level dialogues will center around intelligence-sharing frameworks, cooperation in regional security, and potential avenues for deeper collaboration in the Indo-Pacific region, according to a statement.
As part of the itinerary, the DIA DG is scheduled to visit the Headquarters Joint Operations Command (HQ JOC) to gain insights into Australia's operational structure and joint command frameworks.
He will also meet with the Director of the Australian Geospatial Organisation.
Furthermore, engagements at the Lowy Institute, a prominent international policy think tank, will allow for discussions on strategic defence and security dynamics.
In recognition of the robust defence relationships and shared military traditions between India and Australia, the DIA DG will lay a wreath at the Australian War Memorial, as stated.
The visit will also feature attendance at the Last Post Ceremony, a solemn homage to fallen soldiers, symbolizing mutual respect and remembrance for the sacrifices made in service to the nation.
This trip emphasizes the strengthening intelligence and security cooperation between India and Australia, reaffirming both countries' dedication to upholding peace, stability, and security in the region.
Earlier last year, the third edition of the joint military exercise 'AUSTRAHIND' took place at the Foreign Training Node in Pune from November 8 to 21.
Exercise 'AUSTRAHIND' is an annual event conducted alternately in India and Australia. The last iteration of this exercise was held in Australia in December 2023.
The Indian contingent consisted of 140 personnel, primarily from a Battalion of the Dogra Regiment, along with 14 members from the Indian Air Force.
The Australian Army contingent included 120 personnel, represented by the 13th Light Horse Regiment of the 10th Brigade of the 2nd Division.
The goal of exercise 'AUSTRAHIND' is to foster military cooperation between India and Australia through enhanced interoperability in conducting joint sub-conventional operations in semi-urban areas within semi-desert terrains under Chapter 7 of the UN mandate.
