NEW DELHI: India on Wednesday told Australia that it will strongly retaliate against terrorism emanating from Pakistan on its own terms, without distinguishing between terrorists and their sponsors, and will not be deterred by nuclear blackmail by its western adversary.The stern message on India’s setting a new red line against Pakistan through Operation Sindoor was conveyed during the delegation-level meeting between defence minister Rajnath Singh and the Australian deputy PM and defence minister Richard Marles here. “India thanks Australia for its unequivocal support to India’s resolute response against the barbaric act of terror in Pahalgam,” Singh said later.Marles later also called on PM Narendra Modi to mark the fifth anniversary of the signing of the India-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership. “Our shared vision for a stable, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific continues to guide our collaboration,” the PM said.During the meeting earlier, the two sides decided to further strengthen their bilateral defence cooperation, including by intensifying and diversifying industrial collaboration, and steadily work together towards their shared commitment for a free and open Indo-Pacific, with an eye firmly on an aggressive and expansionist China.Pakistan’s role in actively aiding and abetting cross-border terrorism, however, was a major focus area. Singh stressed India’s right to respond in self-defence against terrorism, describing recent actions against Pakistan as “measured, non-escalatory, proportionate and responsible”. While the two sides “agreed to work together to combat terrorism in all its forms”, India also stressed that mere condemnation of terror activities was not enough, and all like-minded countries must act against terror facilitators in multilateral fora like the World Bank, International Monetary Fund and Financial Action Task Force.“Australia was also told that if it expands its defence ties with Pakistan, its military technologies will end up with China. India also said its concerns about the activities of pro-Khalistani elements in Australia should be addressed,” an official told TOI.With defence ties having emerged as an important pillar of the India-Australia partnership, the two countries expressed satisfaction at the growing strategic convergence in different areas.The two countries in November last year had announced an arrangement on air-to-air refueling between their armed forces as part of their expanding military interoperability, while stressing their shared interests in ensuring “stability and security” in the IOR and the larger Indo-Pacific.India already has a military logistics agreement with Australia, which provides for reciprocal refueling, repair and berthing facilities for warships and aircraft, on the lines of the ones it has with other countries like the US, France, Japan, South Korea and Singapore.Moreover, Australia and Japan are regular participants in the top-notch Malabar naval exercise, which began as a bilateral endeavour between India and the US in 1992 but includes all “Quad” countries now.India and Australia are now also stepping up cooperation in information exchange, maritime domain awareness and niche areas like AI, cyber, anti-submarine and anti-drone warfare. “India has also showcased its warship-building capabilities, which can lead to joint production,” the official said.