New Delhi, July 4 (Reporter) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday held a telephonic conversation with Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles and talked on range of issues including bilateral defence cooperation. Through a post on X, the Defence Minister stated that a range of issues pertaining to bilateral defence cooperation were reviewed, with focus on closer collaboration between the two countries in the Indo-Pacific. “Spoke with Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Mr. @RichardMarlesMP. We reviewed a range of issues pertaining to defence cooperation and discussed closer collaboration between India and Australia in the Indo-Pacific. We place great value on India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Australia,” Singh said in a post on X. Both Ministers noted the transformative progress in defence cooperation under the comprehensive strategic partnership, and appreciated the momentum achieved in the ties since the last India-Australia 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, which was attended by both in November 2023, a Defence Ministry statement said. Australia considers India as a top-tier security partner in their National Defence Strategy document which was released in 2024. Marles also congratulated Singh for taking charge as the Defence Minister for a second consecutive term, and appreciated the functioning of the Indian democratic system wherein people voted in large numbers. He also congratulated Rajnath on Team India becoming the T20 world champions...////...