New Delhi, Apr 19 (PTI) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Canadian counterpart Anita Anand on Wednesday resolved to work towards taking India-Canada defence partnership to the next level.

During a telephonic conversation, Anand briefed Singh about Canada's Indo-Pacific strategy and the importance it attaches to enhancing engagement with India.

Also Read | Akshaya Tritiya 2023: It Is an Opportune Time for Purchasing Gold, Say Experts.

On his part, Singh highlighted India as an attractive destination for defence manufacturing with competitive land and labour costs and conveyed to her that Canadian defence companies can look for co-production of military hardware in the country.

"Glad to speak with Canadian Defence Minister Ms @AnitaAnandMP. Welcomed Canada's Indo-Pacific strategy. Excellent discussion on ways to develop the bilateral defence relations including industrial collaboration. Invited Canadian defence companies to invest & manufacture in India," Singh tweeted.

Also Read | Heatwave in Bihar: Primary Schools Closed for Three Days in Muzaffarpur From April 20-22 in Wake of Rising Temperature.

The Canadian minister of national defence described the talks as "productive".

"Today, I had a productive discussion with the Defence Minister of India, @RajnathSingh. Through Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy, we are increasing our presence in the region. Thanks to our people-to-people and trade ties, India will continue to be a strong partner for Canada," she tweeted.

The defence ministry said both Singh and Anand discussed ways to develop bilateral defence partnership and it would be reflective of their democratic ethos and a shared interest in the peace and security of the Indo-Pacific.

"Both ministers agreed to work on taking the defence relationship to next level and make defence an important pillar of India-Canada bilateral relationship," it said.

The ministry said the conversation was "warm and cordial".

"Anita Anand briefed the defence minister about Canada's Indo-Pacific strategy and the importance attached to enhancing engagement with India," the ministry said in a statement.

"Singh welcomed increased Canadian naval presence in the Indo-Pacific. Both Ministers discussed potential areas of defence cooperation -- from UN peacekeeping training to defence industrial cooperation," it said.

The ministry said Singh highlighted that India is an attractive defence manufacturing destination with competitive land and labour costs.

"He invited Canadian defence companies to invest in India and carry out co-production. They would also find value in integrating Indian defence companies in their global supply chains," it said.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)