ARCHIVED MEDIA RELEASE
PA/21/2004 31 August 2004
Chief of the Australian Defence Force to visit India
The Chief of the Australian Defence Force, General Peter Cosgrove, will commence a five-day visit to India on 1 September.
"Australia's broad-based bilateral relationship with India continues to strengthen and General Cosgrove's visit will give further impetus to our defence links, particularly the focus on our ongoing efforts to deepen our dialogue and cooperation on strategic issues," the Australian High Commissioner to India, Ms Penny Wensley AO said.
"Australia and India share maritime security interests in the Indian Ocean and are both increasingly engaged in regional and bilateral dialogues on defence and security matters - which makes General Cosgrove's visit and his discussions all the more timely," Ms Wensley said.
General Cosgrove said that the bilateral defence relationship has developed strongly over the past few years.
"I am looking forward to exploring increased opportunities for defence cooperation with my counterparts," he said.
"I am also very pleased to visit again and renew the friendships I made when I was a student at the Indian National Defence College ten years ago."
"In addition to the traditionally strong links between our two countries based on our shared democratic values and military heritage, we share a robust commitment to the war on terrorism and enhanced stability within the Asia-Pacific region," General Cosgrove added.
During his visit, General Cosgrove will meet with the Indian Defence Minister, the Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee and the Indian Service Chiefs. In addition to New Delhi, General Cosgrove will visit the Army Training Command at Shimla and Headquarters Northern Command at Udhampur.
For further information please contact: Colonel Paul Power, Australian Defence Adviser, on telephone 9810399714; or Mr Shekhar Nambiar, Senior Adviser, Public Affairs, on 51494351.