New Delhi, Sep 9 (IANS) Australia Thursday sought to expand defence ties with India with the signing of a pact between the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the department of trade and economic development of South Australia.

The pact was signed at the Australian High Commission here in the presence of Mike Rann, the premier of South Australia who has brought some of the top defence companies from his province to India.

“Many of South Australia’s defence companies are eager to work with Indian companies in developing defence products and services for India,” Rann said after the signing ceremony.

“They also recognise the important role that CII plays in liaising with both government and industry in India,” he said.

Several representatives of Australian defence companies accompanied Rann on the visit. These include Codan, manufacturers of high frequency radios used in border patrols; Minelab, maker of mine detectors; Lockheed Martin Australia, maker of over-the-horizon radar; Daronmont, specialising in coastal radar systems; and Prism Defence Systems, manufacturers of helicopter guidance systems for ships.

South Australia is home to over 200 defence companies.

“As the strategic outlooks of our two Indian Ocean nations converge, and as we expand cooperation under the India-Australia Strategic Partnership, we anticipate more such initiatives will emerge in the years ahead,” said Australian High Commissioner Peter Varghese.