** Australian mining stocks .AXMM rise 1.3% to their highest since February 25; eye strongest trading session since July 3

** Sub-index on track for third straight session of gains

** Iron ore futures edged higher on the back of strong Chinese trade demand IRONORE/

** BHP BHP.AX and Rio Tinto RIO.AX rise 1.2% and 1.3%, respectively

** YTD, AXMM up 5.2%, in line with broader benchmark's gains .AXJO

(Reporting by Nikita Maria Jino in Bengaluru)

((Nikita.Jino@thomsonreuters.com;))