In an effort to put military ties back on track after the controversy over purchase of weapons from a South African firm, India and South Africa on Monday discussed enhanced defence cooperation.

The issues, including training and regular exchange of personnel, were discussed during talks between visiting South African Army Chief Lieutenant General Solly Zacharia Shoke and his Indian counterpart General J J Singh.

"Discussions focused on enhancing defence cooperation, defence industry ties as well as boosting training and regular exchanges of personnel," said an Army spokesman.

India and South Africa had signed a Memoranda of Understanding on defence cooperation in 2000. However, military-to-military ties were affected when South African defence company Denel was blacklisted after alleged complaints of payoffs in an anti material rifles supply deal to the Indian Army.

Shoke, who is on a week-long official visit to India, will also meet the chiefs of other defence forces and top Defence Ministry officials. He will visit the Army's Northern and Eastern Commands as well as its prestigious training establishments.