Sydney: Seeking Australian investment in India's Defence industry, New Delhi and Canberra on November 13 called for greater bilateral cooperation in the maritime services.

Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Madhvendra Singh on November 13 discussed areas of bilateral Defence cooperation during a series of meetings held in Canberra with Australian Defence Minister Robert Hill, Vice Chief of Defence Services Rear Admiral Russ Shalders and Chief of Australian Navy Vice Admiral Chris Ritchie.

India sought Australia's cooperation in training of Naval personnel, ship-building and increased goodwill visits by warships and conducting joint exercises, Singh said.

Singh, who is the first Indian Chief of Navy to visit the continent, also held round table discussions with senior Australian Navy officials and inspected the Coast Watch Organisation, which is the Australian equivalent of India's Coastguard.

He informed his counterparts that India has recently allowed private sector participation in the Defence industry upto 100 per cent and with Foreign Direct Investment permissible upto 26 per cent both subject to licensing, for manufacture of all types of Defence equipment within the country.

Hill said India is an important strategic partner and Singh's visit marks a good beginning and the two countries will build stronger relations based on it.

PTI