Australian defence minister Richard Marles said the agreement would significantly increase the number of defence exercises conducted with East Timor. (EPA Images pic)SYDNEY: Australia and East Timor signed a defence deal on Thursday to boost cyber and maritime security as Canberra seeks to curb China's influence among its island neighbours.

Australia is East Timor's largest defence and security partner and the agreement will significantly increase defence exercises, Australian defence minister Richard Marles told reporters in the country's capital of Dili.

"This is a time to double down on friendship, to double down on family," he said.

East Timor, around 700km north-west of Australia, gained independence from Indonesia in 2002.