Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart, Scott Morrison, on Monday acknowledged significant progress in ties between the two nations during their virtual summit.
After the virtual meeting, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla addressed mediapersons. Shringla was quoted by ANI as saying “A significant outcome of the virtual summit was a decision to hold annual summits at the level of the heads of government, under the comprehensive strategic partnership. Australia would be the third country with which India will have an institutionalised annual summit.” India already conducts annual summits with heads of government of Russia and Japan.
Shringla said “The leaders exchanged perspectives about regional and multilateral matters and global issues of mutual interest including shared concerns such as terrorism.” Shringla noted that in addition to the Ukraine crisis, Modi and Morrison also spoke about China. “On the Ukraine issue, it was clear that the two sides had referred to the Quad summit in which the leaders had a fairly clear perspective that the situation in Ukraine should not impact on the Indo-Pacific,” Shringla was quoted as saying by ANI.
“Both leaders discussed serious concerns about the ongoing conflict and humanitarian situation in Ukraine and there was equal emphasis on the fact that International orders stand on the UN Charter on the rule of law and respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of states,” Shringla said.
Shringla noted a letter of intent was signed on Monday to “work towards concluding the migration and mobility partnership agreement on facilitating migration and mobility between the two countries. It's something that the two PMs said would be an area of great interest”.
Earlier, Morrison had declared that Russia needs to be held accountable for the tragic loss of lives in Ukraine following its “terrible” invasion. Morrison also referred to the recent meeting of the leaders of the Quad countries on the Ukraine crisis and said it provided an opportunity to discuss the “implications and consequences” of the developments for the Indo-Pacific region.
Modi said cooperation between India and Australia was increasing at a rapid pace in areas of critical minerals, water management and renewable energy.
