India and Australia on Wednesday agreed to expand their strategic cooperation for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific even as Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailed Canberra’s unequivocal support to New Delhi’s resolute response to the Pahalgam terror attack.

In his talks with visiting Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, Singh highlighted India’s right to respond in self-defence against Pakistan-backed terrorism and its actions following the dastardly attack were measured, non-escalatory and responsible. In his remarks at the meeting, the Australian leader said, Canberra’s relationship with New Delhi is of the “highest priority” and that it is profoundly significant to Australia’s national interest.

The visit to New Delhi by Marles coincides with the fifth anniversary of the firming up of India Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership that facilitated deeper bilateral defence ties. Singh, and Marles, who is also Australia’s defence minister, agreed to intensify and diversify defence-industrial collaboration. In their talks, Singh and Marles strongly condemned the terror attack in Pahalgam and expressed deepest condolences to the families of the victims, the defence ministry said.