In a first ever defence cooperation agreement with a major African nation, India Monday agreed to mount periodical maritime patrolling of the Mozambique coast and supply the country with armaments and defence services.
A Memorandum of Understanding to such an effect was signed by the visiting Mozambique Defence Minister Tobias Joaquim Dai and his Indian counterpart Pranab Mukherjee in response to a proposal by the Mozambique government.
Under the MOU, India will transfer armament know-how and technology for assembling and repair of vehicles, aircraft and warships.
India will also help the African nation in rehabilitation and building of military infrastructure, a defence ministry spokesman said in New Delhi.
The two countries also agreed to form a joint working group to coordinate this new partnership.