On Tuesday, Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi held “fruitful discussions” with his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese on the sidelines of the Quad Leaders’ Summit in Tokyo.
According to a press release by Modi’s office, the Indian leader congratulated Albanese for his electoral victory and reviewed cooperation under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in domains such as science and technology, trade and investment, defence manufacturing, education, agricultural research, sports, renewable energy, and people-to-people ties.
Advancing friendship with Australia.
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) May 24, 2022
Prime Ministers @narendramodi and @AlboMP held fruitful discussions in Tokyo. The talks focused on deepening the developmental cooperation between India and Australia across diverse sectors. pic.twitter.com/TlnZSJFKUY
In a tweet, Modi hailed their strategic partnership, which he said is “robust and benefits” both countries as well as the world at large.
Additionally, Modi complimented Albanese for attending the Quad summit just 24 hours after his appointment as Australia’s PM following his victory against Scott Morrison in the federal election this past weekend.
Similarly, the new Australian leader took to Twitter to say he discussed strategic as well as economic ties with India, which he said “have never been closer.”
India’s Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Australia is robust and benefits not only the people of our nations but also the world.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 24, 2022
Was delighted to meet PM @AlboMP and take stock of bilateral ties. We discussed ways to add even greater momentum across key sectors. pic.twitter.com/8J9tqqAdu9
Later in a press conference, Albanese also highlighted Quad’s important role and said he looks forward to hosting Modi for the 2023 Quad summit. However, he remained silent when asked whether he would “push [India] further” on condemning Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.
This is keeping in line with the position of his predecessor Scott Morrison, who said that ties with India should remain focused on Indo-Pacific security. Australia’s envoy to India, Barry O’Farrell, recently said that Canberra has “accepted” New Delhi’s stand on the Ukraine conflict.
Warmly welcomed my meeting with @narendramodi for an engaging discussion on Australia and India’s full strategic and economic agenda, including on clean energy technology. Australia-India ties have never been closer. pic.twitter.com/XF6g2mu3xH
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) May 24, 2022
Keeping this in mind, Modi and Morrison reiterated their commitment to continue “positive momentum” in the bilateral relationship. India’s Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi noted that the meeting had given “renewed momentum” to India-Australia’s Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The two countries signed the landmark Australia India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AIECTA) last month, which will remove tariffs on more than 85% of Australian goods exported to India. Similarly, 96% of Indian exports to Australia are set to be duty-free.
Renewed momentum in the 🇮🇳🇦🇺 Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) May 24, 2022
PM @narendramodi held talks with the newly elected Australian PM @AlboMP.
Leaders reviewed the multifaceted bilateral cooperation and reaffirmed their desire to deepen it. pic.twitter.com/gbz0t606lb
India is currently Australia’s seventh-largest trading partner, with two-way trade amounting to around $18 billion in 2020. India is also Australia’s sixth-largest goods and services export market, estimated at $12.69 billion.
Apart from trade, the two countries elected their strategic partnership to a comprehensive strategic partnership in July 2020 and have also signed a Mutual Logistics Support Agreement.
Keeping the proximity of their ties in mind, Modi invited Albanese to visit India soon. Apart from Albanese, Modi also held a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and United States President Joe Biden.