The two leaders are expected to explore ways to expand cooperation in the areas of trade and defense. (File)
New Delhi:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison will hold an online summit today to examine the general framework of bilateral strategic relations and explore ways to expand cooperation in the areas of trade and defense.
The two countries are also expected to finalize a historic agreement for reciprocal access to military bases for logistical support at the summit, in addition to sealing a number of other pacts, officials said.
It will be the first time that PM Modi will hold a “bilateral” virtual summit with a foreign leader.
“The virtual summit will be an opportunity for the two leaders to review the general framework of the relationship, in the context of the growing ties between India and Australia, and to discuss their respective responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. “said the Foreign Ministry. Business said in a statement.
He said India and Australia have “very warm and friendly” relationships which have developed and grown steadily.
The two prime ministers have already met four times in the margins of multilateral meetings over the past year and a half.
Relations between the two nations were improved to a level of “strategic partnership” in 2009. Since then, the two countries have expanded their cooperation in a range of key areas.
In its 2017 White Paper on Foreign Policy, Australia recognized India as “the preeminent maritime power among the countries of the Indian Ocean” and “a leading partner of Australia”.
Bilateral economic engagement has also picked up in recent years. According to official data, trade between the two countries was around $ 21 billion in 2018-19.
Australia’s cumulative investment in India is around USD 10.74 billion, while India’s total investment in Australia is USD 10.45 billion.
The Australian Super Pension Fund has invested $ 1 billion in the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund of India.
“The two countries are planning to step up their investment and trade,” said MEA.
He said that India and Australia have developed a mutual understanding of each other’s perspectives on regional and global issues. “We have a common approach to a free, open, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific.”
In recent years, the two countries have focused on developing maritime cooperation.
India and Australia began their first bilateral naval exercise “ AUSINDEX ” in 2015, which aimed to deepen maritime defense and cooperation, particularly in the Indian Ocean.
The third edition of AUSINDEX was held in the Bay of Bengal in April 2019.
Australia supports India’s position on cross-border terrorism and calls on Pakistan to take meaningful action against terrorist groups operating from its soil.
Australia also co-sponsored the United Nations Security Council resolution to declare Azhar Masood a global terrorist.
(This story has not been edited by GalacticGaming staff and is automatically generated from a syndicated feed.)
