ISLAMABAD - Australia has urged Pakistan to crackdown against terror groups like the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba blamed for involvement in the Mumbai attacks and to bring the perpetrators to justice saying it would help normalise ties between Pakistan and India. Addressing a press conference here with his Pakistani counterpart, Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith on Monday lauded the steps taken so far by Pakistan against persons involved in the Mumbai attacks. He said, "We think that the priority is to bring the perpetrators to justice." "We also think it important that the terrorist groups involved [in Mumbai attacks], the Lashkar, are cracked down." He said that Australia had a significant interest in the Mumbai attacks and in bringing the perpetrators of that terrible attack to justice because two Australian citizens were murdered in the incident. In response to a question whether Australia would seek to pressure India to co-operate with Pakistan in investigating the attacks and also to answer questions forwarded by Islamabad following its own probe into the gory incident, he said that his country believed that India and Pakistan should work very closely on that front. "It's important that there are confidence-building measures so far as India and Pakistan are concerned. Australia also wants to see the resumption of the composite dialogue between the two countries," he said. The Australian foreign minister said the use of force alone could not resolve the grave issue of terrorism and better socio-economic conditions were also vital for the purpose. He said that his country supported the democratic process in Pakistan. "Australia wants to further deepen and broaden ties with Pakistan through engagement at the highest level and by increasing bilateral trade and investment," he said. Foreign Minister Smith said that in addition to boosting economic ties, Australia was also interested in expanding defence co-operation with Pakistan. He expressed his country's willingness to train Pakistan's defence personnel. He said that both countries had shared interest in terrorism adding that Australia had vast experience of tackling terrorism and the co-operation between the two sides would go a long way in curbing the menace. To a question, he said the drone attacks in Pakistani tribal areas were a bilateral issue of US and Pakistan. Foreign Minister Qureshi said on the occasion that Australia wanted to focus on South Asia, which was a positive development. He said the two sides noted that the initiation of Defence Strategic Dialogue, annual bilateral consultations between the two foreign offices as well as the formation of Joint Trade Committee would auger well for both countries' bilateral relations. He said it was also gratifying to note that the two-way bilateral trade, (Australian $650 million approximately) though far below its existing potential, had increased. Australian companies had a significant presence in Pakistan and they were doing good business, he said. "We are thankful to Australia for its development assistance. We are also happy that Australia has associated itself with the Friends of Democratic Pakistan Forum," he said. He said that within the context of bilateral trade, he made a case for enhanced market access for Pakistan, which would enable Australia to generate more employment opportunities and root out poverty and extremism. "We also held detailed deliberations on regional and international issues including the situation in Afghanistan, the constructive and positive steps taken by the Pakistani government in the aftermath of the Mumbai terrorist attacks and to counter terrorism," he said. "Both of us agreed that a peaceful regional environment is essential for all States of South Asia to realize their true potential," Qureshi said. He said that Australia recognised that Pakistan was playing a pivotal role in the region and its security, stability and prosperity was vital for regional and international peace and security.