New Delhi, May 24 (). Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese held bilateral talks on Wednesday and discussed cooperation in the field of defense and security, trade and investment, renewable energy, green hydrogen, critical minerals, education, migration, etc.
The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said in a statement that the bilateral meeting took place at Admiralty House in Sydney and Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome and guard of honor on his arrival.
The PMO said the two leaders recalled the summit held in New Delhi in March 2023 and reaffirmed their commitment to further broaden and deepen the multi-faceted India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The discussions focused on cooperation in defense and security, trade and investment, new and renewable energy, green hydrogen, critical minerals, education, migration and mobility and people-to-people ties, the statement said.
Modi and Albanese also welcomed the signing of the India-Australia Migration and Mobility Partnership Arrangement (MMPA), which will facilitate the mobility of students, professionals, researchers, academics and others.
They also welcomed the finalization of the terms of reference of the India-Australia Hydrogen Task Force, which will advise on opportunities to accelerate the manufacture and deployment of clean hydrogen, with a focus on hydrogen electrolyzers, fuel cells as well as basic framework and support standards and regulations.
Prime Minister Modi also thanked Australia for its support in setting up the Consulate General of India in Brisbane.
The two leaders reiterated their determination to ensure a peaceful, prosperous and inclusive Indo-Pacific region, which is based on a rules-based international order, the PMO statement said. They also discussed the reform of the United Nations Security Council.
Meanwhile, Albanese expressed Australia’s strong support for India’s G20 chairmanship and initiatives and Modi looked forward to welcoming his counterpart for the G20 summit in New Delhi in September.
On the last leg of his three-nation tour, Modi arrived in Sydney on Monday night as the guest of the Australian government.
In 2014, Modi became the first Indian prime minister since former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi to visit Australia, where he addressed 20,000 people at the Sydney Superdome in Olympic Park.
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