During their meeting at the sixth Quad Leaders’ Summit in Wilmington, Delaware, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation across multilateral platforms.
Both leaders highlighted the importance of their bilateral relationship, emphasising political, strategic, defence, and economic cooperation as essential areas of focus for India and Australia.
The meeting, held on the sidelines of the Quad Summit, focused on a wide range of topics. Trade and investment between the two countries featured prominently in discussions, with both leaders expressing a desire to expand economic ties.
They also covered issues related to education and research collaboration, recognizing the growing importance of knowledge exchange in shaping the future of both nations.
Furthermore, the discussions extended to addressing climate change and promoting renewable energy, a global priority where India and Australia share a mutual commitment to sustainable solutions.
The Ministry of External Affairs in India issued a statement outlining the broad areas of cooperation that were discussed. It emphasised the positive momentum in India-Australia relations, thanks to high-level exchanges between the two nations.
Prime Minister Modi shared his thoughts on the meeting through his social media platform X, expressing optimism about deepening cooperation in areas such as trade, security, space, and culture. His post emphasised the long-standing friendship between India and Australia, which he described as a time-tested bond.
The meeting between the two Prime Ministers also touched upon regional and global issues of mutual interest, with both leaders acknowledging the strong momentum imparted to bilateral relations through their frequent in-person meetings.
This marked their ninth interaction since May 2022, reflecting the regular high-level engagements that have helped build trust and collaboration between the two nations.
Central to the discussions was the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), which was established in 2020. This partnership is built on a foundation of mutual understanding, shared values, and trust. It has been further strengthened by a commitment to democracy and the rule of law.
Both nations also reiterated their shared vision for an open, free, rules-based Indo-Pacific region, one that is supported by inclusive global and regional institutions. This vision aligns with their common goal of promoting prosperous, stable, and sovereign states in the region, based on shared interests and cooperation.
In their efforts to deepen ties, the leaders recognized the importance of defence and security cooperation. Given the strategic significance of the Indo-Pacific, both India and Australia are keen to strengthen their partnership in ensuring regional stability and security. Collaborative efforts in defence and security will continue to play a pivotal role in maintaining peace and promoting shared values in the region.
People-to-people ties were another important area of focus during the meeting. Both Prime Ministers acknowledged the growing interactions between citizens of India and Australia, particularly in the fields of education, business, and cultural exchanges. These connections, they believe, will continue to foster mutual understanding and contribute to the overall strength of their relationship.
The meeting with Prime Minister Albanese was part of a broader diplomatic engagement for Prime Minister Modi. Prior to his discussions with the Australian leader, PM Modi also met with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
The two leaders reviewed the various facets of the India-Japan relationship and discussed ways to further deepen cooperation in defence, security, and economic ties.
These high-level interactions reflect India’s commitment to strengthening relationships with key global partners, as it continues to play an active role in regional and global diplomacy.
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