Canberra, March 6 -- Canada and Australia agreed to deepen cooperation in defence, critical minerals, artificial intelligence and clean energy during Prime Minister Mark Carney's first official visit to the country.

Carney met Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Canberra, where the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a "free, open and prosperous Indo-Pacific" and closer collaboration on economic security, according to a joint statement released by the Canadian and Australian governments.

The leaders said the partnership between the two countries was rooted in parliamentary democracy, multiculturalism and respect for the rule of law and would serve as a foundation for deeper strategic coordination amid rising geopolitica...