PM Modi raised the issue of attack on temples in Australia in talks with Albanese

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, in talks with his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese, apprised him of India’s concerns over incidents of attacks on temples in Australia and activities of Khalistan supporters. Both sides also set a target of finalizing a comprehensive trade agreement by the end of this year. After wide-ranging talks between Modi and Albanese, the two sides also signed a Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement to open up opportunities for students, academic researchers and businessmen and prevent illegal migration. The two leaders also witnessed the signing of the Terms of Reference of the Australia-India Green Hydrogen Task Force.

This will help in exploring opportunities to accelerate the production and use of clean hydrogen. Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said the Modi-Albanez talks focused on cooperation in green hydrogen, defense and security, trade and investment, new and renewable energy, critical minerals, education, complementarities and capabilities of the two economies and people-to-people ties . In a statement issued to the media, Prime Minister Modi said bilateral relations are based on “mutual trust and respect” and the Indian community in Australia is a “living bridge” between the two countries.

Modi said, “Prime Minister Albanese and I have discussed the issue related to the attack on temples in Australia and the activities of separatist elements. We talked about it even today. “In the presence of Albanese, he said,” We absolutely do not accept that anyone should hurt the friendly and cordial relations between India and Australia by their actions or ideology. I thank Prime Minister Albanese for the steps taken so far to deal with this. Prime Minister Albanese has today once again assured me that he will continue to take strong action against such elements in the future as well.

Asked about attacks on temples and activities of pro-Khalistan elements in Australia, Kwatra said the ties between the two sides are very strong and wide and such elements will not be allowed to disrupt ties. Responding to a question on the activities of pro-Khalistan elements in Australia, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said that her country is a multicultural democracy and there is no place for hatred and violence. Kwatra said Modi and Albanese discussed the impact of the Ukraine conflict, the situation in the Indo-Pacific region, cooperation under the Quad, reform of the United Nations, India and Australia’s engagement with Pacific island nations and potential bilateral cooperation to benefit the global south. He also talked about cooperation.

He noted that discussions on the Ukraine conflict have largely focused on its implications, particularly the economic aspect. Australia also supported India’s bid for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council. The Prime Minister used the fast-paced format of cricket to describe the rapidly growing India-Australia relationship and said that the relationship between the two countries has entered the ‘T20’. He said, “I have come to Australia within two months of my friend Prime Minister Albanese’s visit to India. This is our sixth meeting in the last one year. This reflects the depth of our comprehensive ties, the progress of our views and the maturity of our ties.

Modi said, “In terms of cricket, our relations are in T20 format. The India-Australia friendship is very special.” He invited Albanese and Australian cricket fans to India for the Cricket World Cup event to be held in India later this year. Describing the talks with Albanese as “fruitful”, Modi said they discussed taking the Australia-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to “greater heights” in the coming decade. He said, “Last year, the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement came into force. Today we decided to focus on a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA). This will further strengthen our economic partnership and open new avenues of cooperation.

“We had fruitful discussions on strengthening our strategic cooperation in the areas of mining and critical minerals,” he said. We identified effective areas for cooperation. ”At the same time, Albanese said that the goal is to finalize the CECA by the end of this year. “We reiterated our shared ambition to bring to an early conclusion the Australia-India Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement by the end of this year,” he said. Albanese said the labor mobility agreement provides for 3,000 places for those Those who are highly skilled in work areas to come to Australia.

Modi said India-Australia relations are not just limited to the two countries, but are also linked to regional stability, peace and global well-being. “We had constructive discussions on strengthening our strategic cooperation in the areas of mining and critical minerals,” he said. We identified concrete areas for cooperation and in the renewable energy sector. The two Prime Ministers also reiterated their commitment to an open, prosperous and secure Indo-Pacific region. Modi said, “India-Australia cooperation can also be beneficial for the development of the global south. The Indian tradition of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, which sees the whole world as one family, is the central theme during India’s G20 presidency. I heartily thank

Foreign Secretary Kwatra said that the discussion on the Ukraine conflict mainly focused on its implications, especially on the economic front. In his media address, Albanese announced that Australia will open a new Consulate General in Bengaluru to connect Australian businesses to India’s growing digital economy and innovation ecosystem. “It is a relationship in which we need to invest. Our strong partnership with India is beneficial to Australia in terms of trade, investment, regional security and stability.

Referring to the ‘Quad’ summit in Hiroshima, Albanese said the leaders of the grouping “stand together for an open, stable, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific region”. An area where sovereignty is respected and regional balance benefits all countries, large and small.” The Quad is a quadrilateral security dialogue grouping that includes India, the US, Japan and Australia. The Australian Prime Minister also talked about the ever-deepening ties between the two countries. He said, “I have met Modi six times in the first year of my tenure as the Prime Minister. This shows the importance we attach to deepening the relationship between the two countries.

“Australia is a better place because of the contributions of the Indian-Australian community and we want to see deeper ties between our countries,” Albanese said. The new center will be headquartered in Parramatta. The Center began work on the issue this month, which will deepen Australia’s engagement with India through trade, policy and cultural activities, and enhance cooperation with the overseas Indian community. Prior to the talks, Modi was given a ceremonial ‘guard of honour’ in Sydney.

Disclaimer:IndiaTheNews has not edited this news. This news has been published from PTI-language feed.

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