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 a virtual bilateral summit today to examine bilateral strategic ties and explore ways to expand cooperation in the areas of trade and defense. It is the first time that Prime Minister Modi has organized 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.
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.
Recently, the two leaders had a friendly chat on Twitter after the Australian Prime Minister shared photos of the homemade samosas on his social media handles.
“ScoMosas Sunday with mango chutney, all made from scratch – including chutney,” he wrote and labeled Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Prime Minister Modi was quick to respond and said on Twitter: “Connected by the Indian Ocean, united by the Indian Samosa!”
Connected by the Indian Ocean, united by the Indian Samosa!
It looks delicious, PM @ScottMorrisonMP!
Once we have won a decisive victory against COVID-19, we will enjoy the Samosas together.
Pending our video meeting on 4. https://t.co/vbRLbVQuL1
– Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 31, 2020
The two prime ministers have already met four times in the past year and a half.
While attending the G20 summit in Osaka, Japan last year, the Australian Prime Minister tweeted a selfie he took with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “Kithana acha he Modi! # G20OsakaSummit,” Morrison said on Twitter in which PM Modi was seen in a brown jacket over a white outfit. They are both smiling.
On April 6, the two leaders had a telephone conversation during which the ongoing COVID-19, including facilitation and support for citizens stranded in each other’s country, was discussed, the ministry said. Scott Morrison also highly appreciated the contribution of the Indian community, including Indian students, to Australian society, he added.
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 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.
India and Australia have developed a mutual understanding of each other’s perspectives on regional and global issues, said the foreign ministry. “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 has supported global initiatives from India such as the International Solar Alliance (ISA), CDRI and the Indo-Pacific Oceans’ Initiative (IPOI). Australia supports India’s membership in an enlarged United Nations Security Council (UNSC). In the recent past, Australia has supported India’s membership in the Australian group and the Wassenaar Arrangement and promotes India’s membership in the NSG.
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.
