PM Modi in Australia: Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese in Sydney on Wednesday. During the meeting, the two leaders held wide-ranging talks aimed at enhancing ties between the two countries in a number of areas including defence, trade and renewable energy.
After the meeting, both the leaders also addressed a joint press conference in Sydney. Speaking at the press conference, PM Modi reiterated the incidents of vandalism in Hindu temples in Australia. The Prime Minister said he has taken up the issue again and his Australian counterpart has assured strict action against the perpetrators.
What did PM Modi say on the vandalism in the temple?
“PM Anthony Albanese and I have discussed the issue of attacks on temples in Australia and activities of separatist elements in the past. We discussed the matter today as well. Will not accept element.” relation to their work or views,” PM Modi said. He also said, “PM Albanese assured me once again today that he will take strict action against such elements in future as well.”
Significantly, pro-Khalistan supporters attacked Brisbane’s main Hindu temple Shri Lakshmi Narayan Temple in March this year. According to reports, this was the fourth incident of vandalism in Hindu temples in Australia in recent times.
New Consulate General of Australia to be built in Bengaluru
Meanwhile, Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese announced the opening of the new Australian Consulate General in Bengaluru and said it would help connect the country’s businesses to India’s fast-growing digital and innovation ecosystem.
“I am delighted to announce the establishment of a new Australian Consulate General in Bengaluru, which will help connect Australian businesses to India’s rapidly growing digital and innovation ecosystem,” Albanese said at the joint press. I welcome India’s plans for a Consulate General.” briefing. Notably, the two leaders also exchanged MoUs on Mobility, Migration and Green Hydrogen Task Force.
India-Australia Relations
It should be mentioned here that Australia and India have well-established foreign diplomatic relations, with the two countries sharing a “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” since both were part of the British Empire. Both are members of the Commonwealth of Nations, and share political, economic, security, linguistic and sporting ties.
The ties have grown in strength and importance since India’s economic reforms in the nineties and rapid progress in all sectors – trade, energy and mining, science and technology, information technology, education and defence.
India and Australia cooperate in various multilateral fora. Australia supports India’s candidature for an expanded UN Security Council. Both countries have also cooperated as members of the Five Interested Parties (FIPs) in the context of the World Trade Organization. Australia is an important player in APEC and supports India’s membership of the organization.
(with inputs from agencies)