Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison are expected to devote quite a bit of their time on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict – the tremors of which are also being felt in the Indo-Pacific region – when they meet virtually for the second India-Australia Annual Summit this Monday.
Looking forward to the meeting, Morrison said today that Australia and India's strong bilateral relationship is based on mutual understanding and trust, a commitment to democracy, and a shared vision of an open, inclusive, resilient and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
And, while the two leaders will be discussing ways to deepen the bilateral Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, exchanging views on regional and international issues of mutual interest, especially the situation in Ukraine and its far-reaching implications, is also expected to top the agenda.
"We will also discuss a range of regional and multilateral issues, including the situation in Ukraine and its implications for the Indo-Pacific, and Myanmar," Morrison said today.
While New Delhi has made clear its position on the Ukraine conflict many times, asking the parties concerned to return to the path of diplomacy and dialogue, Canberra has maintained that it remains
"deeply committed" to impose "high costs" on Russia.
Joining the United States and the United Kingdom, Australia has placed several sanctions on Russian banks, government entities and the oligarchs close to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
As reported by IndiaNarrative.com, the Scott Morrison government said on Friday that it will continue with its "unwavering support" for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and for the people of Ukraine.
Interestingly, the India-Australia Summit will be taking place less than 48 hours after the 14th India- Japan Annual Summit, which will be held between PM Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in New Delhi on Saturday.
Like Morrison, Kishida too has batted for imposing sanctions on Russia to further increase diplomatic and economic pressure on Moscow following its military action in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, the Australian PM said today that he and PM Modi will delve into finding ways to deepen the trade and investment relationship and harness new economic opportunities to support the mutual economic recovery and growth.
"Central to these endeavours are strengthened cooperation in defence and security, science and technology, and critical minerals and clean energy," he said.
It was on 4th June 2020 when, during the first Annual Leaders' Summit, PM Modi and Morrison had elevated the relationship between the two countries to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Having last met in Glasgow on the margins of the COP26 in November 2021 – two months after their first in-person meeting after the Covid-19 pandemic in Washington for the Quad Leaders’ Summit – both leaders will be looking forward to advancing the shared bilateral and regional agenda.
India said that Monday's second summit will lay the way forward on new initiatives and enhanced cooperation in a diverse range of sectors between the two nations as the leaders are expected to commit to closer cooperation in trade, critical minerals, migration and mobility, and education, among others.
"The India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has maintained the momentum of an upward trajectory with both countries continuing to collaborate closely, despite the Covid-19 pandemic, in wide-ranging areas including science and technology, defence, cyber, critical and strategic materials, water resource management, as well as public administration and governance," said India's External Affairs Ministry.
