Sydney [Australia], May 23 (ANI): Describing the connection between India and Australia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has mentioned that the excessive diploma of mutual belief between the 2 nations has naturally translated into better cooperation over time, particularly on defence and safety issues.
In an unique interview with ‘The Australian’ newspaper, Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned that he needs to raise relations with Australia to the “next level,” which might entail deeper defence ties to help the creation of an “open and free” Indo-Pacific.
“The Indo-Pacific faces a number of challenges such as climate change, natural disasters, terrorism, security of the sea lanes of communication, piracy, illegal fishing among others,” PM Modi informed Cameron Stewart in an unique interview.
“India believes that these challenges can be addressed only through shared efforts,” he mentioned, including that he needed India and Australia to press ahead to grasp the “true potential” of nearer defence and safety ties.
Prime Minister Modi reached Sydney on Monday on the third and final leg of his six-day, three nations journey.
Calling his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese a “dear friend,” Prime Minister Modi mentioned that the bilateral relationship between New Delhi and Canberra was being nourished by the fast-growing Indian diaspora residing there.
“Our people-to-people contacts remain a strong pillar of our partnership. The Indian diaspora in Australia has increased over the past years,” PM Modi mentioned.
He mentioned that the quickly increasing Indian diaspora, which acts as a “living bridge” between the 2 international locations and is linked by a love for cricket, is fostering the bilateral connection.”We have progressed significantly in the areas of defence, security. investment, education, water, climate change and renewable energy, sports, science, health, culture, among others” Prime Minister Modi informed ‘The Australian’ newspaper.
Speaking to Cameron Stewart of ‘The Australian’ on India’s stance on the Russia-Ukraine battle, PM Modi additional mentioned, “An advantage of being good friends is that we can discuss freely and appreciate each other’s viewpoint. Australia understands India’s position and it does not impact our bilateral relationship.”Upon his arrival in Sydney on Monday (May 22), PM Modi was obtained by Australian High Commissioner to India Barry O’Farrell and different officers.
During his go to two-day official go to to Sydney, PM Modi will meet his Australian counterpart, Anthony Albanese and maintain a bilateral assembly, along with enterprise executives and the 750,000-strong Indian diaspora.
At their bilateral assembly, the leaders will talk about commerce and funding, together with efforts to spice up commerce between the 2 international locations via a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement and work to strengthen people-to-people hyperlinks, renewable power, and defence and safety cooperation, mentioned the official assertion launched by the Australian authorities.
Members of the Indian diaspora additionally welcomed PM Modi as they chanted slogans of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and “Vande Mataram”.
Meanwhile, Australian PM Albanese mentioned he appears to be like ahead to visiting India in September in New Delhi for the G20 Leaders’ Summit, the world’s premier discussion board for financial cooperation.
Before emplaning for Australia, PM Modi visited Papua New Guinea the place he co-chaired the third summit of the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) collectively along with his counterpart James Marape.
Earlier, he visited Japan the place he attended the summit of the G7 superior economies and held bilateral conferences with a number of world leaders. The Quad Summit was additionally held on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Hiroshima. (ANI)