Modi rounded off his three-nation tour with a bilateral meeting with Albanese, and a business round table that saw the two sides signing a migration agreement for two-way mobility of students and business professionals, and another deal to set up a task force for green hydrogen cooperation. The leaders also discussed many regional and global issues, including the threat posed by China’s assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific, Russia-Ukraine war, Quad cooperation and ways to address problems faced by the Global South.
Thanking Albanese for the steps taken to prevent attacks on Hindu temples, Modi said the Australian PM assured him once again that he will continue to take strict action against such elements.
“Prime Minister Albanese and I have discussed the issue of attacks on temples in Australia and the activities of separatist elements in the past. Today also we had a discussion on the issue. It is not acceptable to us that any element harms the warm and friendly relations between India and Australia by their thoughts or their actions,” said Modi, who had raised the same issue with Albanese during his visit to India in March.
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PM Modi: ‘I invite PM Anthony Albanese and all Australian cricket fans to India for the Cricket World Cup this year’
The leaders also focused on early conclusion of the CECA — Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement — to further strengthen trade and economic cooperation. Foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra later said the next two rounds of CECA talks are likely to take place in June and July.
“The scope of India-Australia relations is not limited to merely our two countries. It is also linked to regional stability, peace and global welfare. A few days ago, along with PM Albanese, at the Quad Summit in Hiroshima, we also discussed the Indo-Pacific. India-Australia cooperation can also be beneficial for the progress of the Global South,” said Modi, adding that he also invited Albanese for the cricket world cup India will host later this year.
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PM Modi raises concerns over temple attacks in Australia during talks with PM Albanese
The talks saw focus on enhancing cooperation in trade and investment, defence and security, climate and people to people contacts. Both leaders did not bring up the Ukraine issue in their public remarks.
Recalling the Quad summit in Hiroshima, Albanese said Quad Leaders stood together for an open, stable, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific region, a region where “sovereignty is respected, and all countries large and small benefit from a regional balance that keeps the peace”.
According to Albanese, the migration and mobility agreement will promote the exchange of students, graduates, researchers and business people, expanding people-to-people ties and enhancing cooperation in preventing “people smuggling”.
He said renewable energy was once again a focus and an important topic in the discussions. “Investments like the taskforce (green hydrogen) will help power our industries in the future, and ensure that Australia and India meet our energy targets in the interests of both our respective countries, but also in support of reduction of global emissions,” he said.
Watch PM Modi raises temple attack cases with Australia, “Strict action being taken” assures PM Albanese
