Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday raised with his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese the issue of recent attacks on temples in Australia as the two leaders vowed to strike an ambitious trade deal this year and security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific during their first summit. focused on strengthening.
Following the talks between Modi and Albanese, the two sides signed four agreements on cooperation in the fields of sports, innovation, audio-video production and solar energy.
Discussions between the two leaders focused on promoting cooperation in clean energy, trade and investment, defense and security, critical minerals, migration and mobility, supply chains, education, culture and sports.
Addressing the media after the talks, Modi said that reports of attacks on temples in Australia are coming regularly. “Naturally, such news worries everyone in India and distresses our hearts,” he said.
Modi said he conveyed these feelings and concerns to Prime Minister Albanese.
Prime Minister Modi said, “He has assured me that the safety of the Indian community is a special priority for him.”
The Indian Prime Minister said that the teams of both the countries will be in regular touch on this subject and will cooperate as much as possible. Albanese said Modi and he agreed to conclude the India-Australia Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) at the earliest.
The Australian Prime Minister, who is on a three-day visit to India, said, “I hope we will finalize it this year.” Last year India and Australia finalized the Economic Cooperation Trade Agreement (ECTA) and it was last The year came into force in December. Both sides are now working on the CECA.
Modi said bilateral security cooperation is an important pillar of the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. He said, “Today we discussed increasing maritime security and mutual defense and security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.” It is understood that China’s increasing military aggression in the Indo-Pacific region was discussed.
Modi said, “In the field of defense, we have made remarkable agreements in the last few years, which also include logistical support for each other’s armies. There is also a regular and useful exchange of information between our security agencies and we discussed further strengthening it.
The Prime Minister also said that mutual cooperation to develop reliable and robust global supply chains was also discussed.
In his remarks, Albanese described his country’s ties with India as “multi-faceted” and said he looked forward to hosting Modi in Australia for the Quad leaders’ summit in May and then returning to India in September for the G-20 summit. looking forward to
“Prime Minister Modi and I discussed the strength of our economic ties with the entry into force of the historic India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement,” he said. About the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement, he said it was a “transformational agreement”. Realize the full potential of the bilateral economic relationship.
“I am proud of the ongoing collaboration between Australia and India on solar and hydrogen,” Albanese said. These two technologies are critical to our energy transition goals and there are opportunities for us to work more closely to secure critical mineral supply chains.”
“I am pleased that today we have exchanged the terms of reference of the Australia India Solar Task Force,” he said.
Albanese said with Modi he discussed the increasingly uncertain global security environment and the Australia-India defense and security partnership to address common challenges as well as work towards an open, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific. Committed to strengthen
“I welcome the increased exchange of defense information between Australia and India, including in the maritime domain,” he said.
Albanese said Australia was honored to host the Malabar naval exercise this year. “I am also pleased to report that officials have made significant progress on a new migration and mobility partnership arrangement. This arrangement will promote and support the mobility of students, graduates, academic researchers, business people and other professionals.
“I am pleased to exchange today a revised Sports Memorandum of Understanding that will promote cooperation between the two sports-loving countries, including by recognizing equality, diversity and inclusion in sports,” he said.
The Australian Prime Minister reached Delhi on Thursday evening after concluding his programs in Ahmedabad and Mumbai.
