MoU for Military Cooperation

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in defence cooperation was signed between India and Mozambique at South Block on March 6. The Defence Ministers of India and the Republic of Mozambique, Mr Pranab Mukherjee and Mr Tobias Joaquim Dai signed the MoU in response to the proposal made by the Mozambique government.

The MoU envisages the intention of both India and Mozambique to promote and expand bilateral relations in defence to the advantage of their armed forces. The scope of the MoU specifically covers all the three Services envisaging cooperation in the field of military technical cooperation, logistic support and training.

The joint activities, envisaged under the MoU, may include maritime patrolling of the Mozambican coast, mutual training in military institutes, supply to defence equipment/services and establishment of partnership and transfer of know-how and technology for assembling and repair of vehicles, aircraft and ships as well as rehabilitation of military infrastructure.

Defence Minister, Mr Pranab Mukherjee exchanging documents with the Defence Minister of the Republic of Mozambique, Mr Tobias Joaquim Dai after the signing of MoU

It is envisaged that a Joint Defence Working Group will be formed under this MoU to coordinate its implementation and follow up. India and Mozambique have shared friendly ties built on traditional links dating back beyond the pre-colonial period. India has supported Mozambique in its freedom struggle in the recent past and was amongst the first countries to recognize independent Mozambique way back in 1975.

-PIB (DW)

India - Australia Cooperation

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between India and Australia in New Delhi by Defence Secretary, Mr Shekhar Dutt, and the High Commissioner of Australia to India, Mr John McCarthy in the presence of the Prime Minister of Australia, Mr John Howard and the Prime Minister of India, Dr Manmohan singh.

The MoU broadly covers cooperation in the areas regarding exchange of views on security and defence related matters, training, maritime cooperation, defence industries and defence research and development. The MoU also envisages setting up of India - Australia Joint Working Group on defence for guiding and monitoring the on-going defence cooperation between the two countries.

India and Australia share common interests in the stability of Asia Pacific region, non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, flight against international terrorism and ensuring security of sea lanes of communication in the region. The signing of the MoU is seen as the realization of the need for developing close and constructive defence cooperation in areas of common interest between the two countries.

-PIB (DW)