News Analysis India

Tag: India-Australia ties

  • PM flags attack on temples at bilateral meet with Australian counterpart

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI:  Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday shared his concern with his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese over the spate of attacks on temples and the proliferation of pro-Khalistan elements in Australia, at the business end of his visit to Sydney.

    “We will not accept any elements that harm the friendly and warm ties between India and Australia by their actions or thoughts… Albanese once again assured me today that he will take strict action against such elements,” Modi said after their bilateral talks.

    Later responding to a question on the activities of the pro-Khalistani elements in her country, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Australia is a multicultural democracy and that there is no space for hatred and violence. 

    The talks focused on cooperation in green hydrogen, defence and security, trade and investment, new and renewable energy, critical minerals, education, complementarities and competencies of the two economies and people to people ties. Both sides signed the Terms of Reference of the Australia-India Green Hydrogen Taskforce and an agreement on migration and mobility. 

    “In our bilaterals we reiterated our shared ambition for an early conclusion of the Australia-India Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement later this year. Prime Minister Modi and I are pleased to have just witnessed the exchange of the Australia-India Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement.

    This arrangement will promote the exchange of students, graduates, researchers and business people; expand our people-to-people ties and enhance cooperation in preventing people smuggling,’’ Albanese said. The prime minister extended an invite to Albanese to attend the G20 Summit in September as also the cricket World Cup. He said visiting Australians would also get to witness Diwali celebrations around that time of the year. 

    “In the language of cricket, our ties have reached the T20 mode,” Modi said, recalling that this was their sixth meeting in a year, which indicated the maturity of the relationship.

    NEW DELHI:  Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday shared his concern with his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese over the spate of attacks on temples and the proliferation of pro-Khalistan elements in Australia, at the business end of his visit to Sydney.

    “We will not accept any elements that harm the friendly and warm ties between India and Australia by their actions or thoughts… Albanese once again assured me today that he will take strict action against such elements,” Modi said after their bilateral talks.

    Later responding to a question on the activities of the pro-Khalistani elements in her country, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Australia is a multicultural democracy and that there is no space for hatred and violence. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    The talks focused on cooperation in green hydrogen, defence and security, trade and investment, new and renewable energy, critical minerals, education, complementarities and competencies of the two economies and people to people ties. Both sides signed the Terms of Reference of the Australia-India Green Hydrogen Taskforce and an agreement on migration and mobility. 

    “In our bilaterals we reiterated our shared ambition for an early conclusion of the Australia-India Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement later this year. Prime Minister Modi and I are pleased to have just witnessed the exchange of the Australia-India Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement.

    This arrangement will promote the exchange of students, graduates, researchers and business people; expand our people-to-people ties and enhance cooperation in preventing people smuggling,’’ Albanese said. The prime minister extended an invite to Albanese to attend the G20 Summit in September as also the cricket World Cup. He said visiting Australians would also get to witness Diwali celebrations around that time of the year. 

    “In the language of cricket, our ties have reached the T20 mode,” Modi said, recalling that this was their sixth meeting in a year, which indicated the maturity of the relationship.

  • Australian PM Albanese celebrates Holi in Gujarat, visits Sabarmati Ashram

    By PTI

    AHMEDABAD: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Wednesday celebrated Holi at Raj Bhavan in Gujarat’s capital of Gandhinagar on the first day of his India visit and said the festival of colours signifies the triumph of good over evil and its message is an enduring reminder for all.

    Albanese, who is on a four-day India trip, was welcomed by Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat and Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel at Raj Bhavan by applying colour on his face as a mark of Holi celebrations, said a state government release.

    The ‘Holi Celebrations’ event was organised by the Governor in honour of the visiting dignitary and his delegation. Gujarat Assembly Speaker Shankar Chaudhary along with several state ministers were present on the occasion, said the release. Later, artists from different states, including Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, performed their traditional dance forms at the event.

    The Australian leader posted photos from the event on Twitter and wrote, “Honoured to celebrate Holi in Ahmedabad, India. Holi’s message of renewal through the triumph of good over evil is an enduring reminder for all of us.”

    “No matter what your faith is or where you’ve come from – we celebrate and value what unites us,” he said in another post.

    No matter what your faith is or where you’ve come from—we celebrate and value what unites us. pic.twitter.com/wcowVPm4LW

    — Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) March 8, 2023

    Speaking at the event, Albanese said though it is his first official visit as the PM, he came to India as a youngster way back in 1991 and stayed in the country for six weeks.

    He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for inviting him and added he is excited to watch the fourth cricket Test match between Australia and India in Ahmedabad. The two PMs will watch the first day of the Test between India and Australia beginning at the Narendra Modi Stadium at Motera on Thursday.

    ‘Gandhian values continue to inspire world’

    Earlier in the day, the Australian Prime Minister paid rich tributes to Mahatma Gandhi, saying his values and philosophy continue to inspire the world and a lot can be learnt from his life, as he visited the Sabarmati Ashram here.

    Albanese arrived at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Airport in the city in the evening and headed straight to the Ashram, the former home of Mahatma Gandhi which also served as one of the main centres of India’s freedom struggle. He was welcomed at the airport by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, who also accompanied the visiting leader during the Ashram tour.

    Australian PM Anthony Albanese pays homage to Gandhiji at Sabarmati Ashram. (Photo | PTI)Though it was not mandatory for visitors to remove footwear while walking on the open ground of the Ashram, the Australian PM did so out of respect for Mahatma Gandhi and the iconic place, said Ashram trustee Kartikeya Sarabhai.

    The visiting dignitary also saw ‘Hriday Kunj’, a room inside the Ashram where the Indian independence hero lived. “He (Albanese) was amazed to see how khadi is weaved using a spinning wheel. The word ‘khadi’ was new to him, so our trustee Amrutbhai Modi, explained the entire process to him,” Sarabhai told reporters.

    On behalf of the Sabarmati Ashram Preservation and Memorial Trust, Sarabhai and other trustees gifted to the visiting leader a book written by Australian author Thomas Weber on Mahatma Gandhi’s historic salt march. The Ashram gifted another book depicting the Father of the Nation’s life in Ahmedabad from 1915 to 1930, and a replica of ‘charkha’, or spinning wheel, to Albanese, who spent nearly 20 minutes on the premises.

    In the visitor’s book, the Australian leader wrote that Mahatma Gandhi’s values and philosophy still inspire the entire world. “It is a great honour to visit, to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi whose philosophy and life values continue to inspire the world today. We have much to learn from his example,” wrote the Australian PM in the book before leaving for Raj Bhavan.

    ALSO READ | Indian degrees to be recognized in Australia, says PM Albanese

    ‘Looking forward to productive deliberations’

    Meanwhile, PM Narendra Modi on Wednesday said he is looking forward to deliberations with his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese to further the friendship between the two countries.

    Tagging the Australian prime minister’s tweet in which he said he is bringing a delegation of ministers and business leaders to India today, Modi tweeted, “India eagerly awaits your arrival! Looking forward to productive deliberations to further the India-Australia friendship.”

    Albanese said he was keen to further deepen Canberra’s multifaceted relationship with New Delhi at a time of extraordinary growth and dynamism, especially in areas of trade, security and people-to-people links. In Delhi, Albanese will be accorded a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhawan on March 10, 2023.

    Prime Minister Modi and his Australian counterpart will hold the Annual Summit to discuss areas of cooperation under the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, besides regional and global issues of mutual interest.

    AHMEDABAD: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Wednesday celebrated Holi at Raj Bhavan in Gujarat’s capital of Gandhinagar on the first day of his India visit and said the festival of colours signifies the triumph of good over evil and its message is an enduring reminder for all.

    Albanese, who is on a four-day India trip, was welcomed by Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat and Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel at Raj Bhavan by applying colour on his face as a mark of Holi celebrations, said a state government release.

    The ‘Holi Celebrations’ event was organised by the Governor in honour of the visiting dignitary and his delegation. Gujarat Assembly Speaker Shankar Chaudhary along with several state ministers were present on the occasion, said the release. Later, artists from different states, including Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, performed their traditional dance forms at the event.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    The Australian leader posted photos from the event on Twitter and wrote, “Honoured to celebrate Holi in Ahmedabad, India. Holi’s message of renewal through the triumph of good over evil is an enduring reminder for all of us.”

    “No matter what your faith is or where you’ve come from – we celebrate and value what unites us,” he said in another post.

    No matter what your faith is or where you’ve come from—we celebrate and value what unites us. pic.twitter.com/wcowVPm4LW

    — Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) March 8, 2023

    Speaking at the event, Albanese said though it is his first official visit as the PM, he came to India as a youngster way back in 1991 and stayed in the country for six weeks.

    He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for inviting him and added he is excited to watch the fourth cricket Test match between Australia and India in Ahmedabad. The two PMs will watch the first day of the Test between India and Australia beginning at the Narendra Modi Stadium at Motera on Thursday.

    ‘Gandhian values continue to inspire world’

    Earlier in the day, the Australian Prime Minister paid rich tributes to Mahatma Gandhi, saying his values and philosophy continue to inspire the world and a lot can be learnt from his life, as he visited the Sabarmati Ashram here.

    Albanese arrived at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Airport in the city in the evening and headed straight to the Ashram, the former home of Mahatma Gandhi which also served as one of the main centres of India’s freedom struggle. He was welcomed at the airport by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, who also accompanied the visiting leader during the Ashram tour.

    Australian PM Anthony Albanese pays homage to Gandhiji at Sabarmati Ashram. (Photo | PTI)Though it was not mandatory for visitors to remove footwear while walking on the open ground of the Ashram, the Australian PM did so out of respect for Mahatma Gandhi and the iconic place, said Ashram trustee Kartikeya Sarabhai.

    The visiting dignitary also saw ‘Hriday Kunj’, a room inside the Ashram where the Indian independence hero lived. “He (Albanese) was amazed to see how khadi is weaved using a spinning wheel. The word ‘khadi’ was new to him, so our trustee Amrutbhai Modi, explained the entire process to him,” Sarabhai told reporters.

    On behalf of the Sabarmati Ashram Preservation and Memorial Trust, Sarabhai and other trustees gifted to the visiting leader a book written by Australian author Thomas Weber on Mahatma Gandhi’s historic salt march. The Ashram gifted another book depicting the Father of the Nation’s life in Ahmedabad from 1915 to 1930, and a replica of ‘charkha’, or spinning wheel, to Albanese, who spent nearly 20 minutes on the premises.

    In the visitor’s book, the Australian leader wrote that Mahatma Gandhi’s values and philosophy still inspire the entire world. “It is a great honour to visit, to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi whose philosophy and life values continue to inspire the world today. We have much to learn from his example,” wrote the Australian PM in the book before leaving for Raj Bhavan.

    ALSO READ | Indian degrees to be recognized in Australia, says PM Albanese

    ‘Looking forward to productive deliberations’

    Meanwhile, PM Narendra Modi on Wednesday said he is looking forward to deliberations with his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese to further the friendship between the two countries.

    Tagging the Australian prime minister’s tweet in which he said he is bringing a delegation of ministers and business leaders to India today, Modi tweeted, “India eagerly awaits your arrival! Looking forward to productive deliberations to further the India-Australia friendship.”

    Albanese said he was keen to further deepen Canberra’s multifaceted relationship with New Delhi at a time of extraordinary growth and dynamism, especially in areas of trade, security and people-to-people links. In Delhi, Albanese will be accorded a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhawan on March 10, 2023.

    Prime Minister Modi and his Australian counterpart will hold the Annual Summit to discuss areas of cooperation under the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, besides regional and global issues of mutual interest.

  • Indian degrees to be recognized in Australia, says PM Albanese

    By PTI

    AHMEDABAD: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Wednesday announced that his country and the Indian government have finalized the `Australia-India Education Qualification Recognition Mechanism.’

    Albanese, on a visit to India, was speaking at a programme here to officially announce that Australia’s Deakin University would be setting up an international branch campus at GIFT City in Gujarat’s Gandhinagar.

    “There is a significant development in our bilateral education relations. I am pleased to tell you that we have finalised Australia-India Education Qualification Recognition Mechanism,” he said.

    “This new mechanism means that if you are an Indian student who is studying or have studied in Australia, your hard-earned degree will be recognised when you return home. Or if you are a member of Australia’s very large Indian diaspora — 500,000 and growing — you will feel more confident that your Indian qualification will be recognised in Australia,” he said.

    It is the most comprehensive and ambitious arrangement agreed to by India with any country, Albanese said.

    “It paved the way for commercial opportunities for Australian education providers to offer innovative and more accessible education to Indian students. And it provides a solid basis for educational institutions to consider new ways to partner with each other,” he said.

    “It is a fantastic piece of work that will have real tangible benefits,” the visiting prime minister added.

    He also announced a new scholarship for Indian students who want to study in Australia. “I am pleased to announce a new scholarship offering — the Maitri scholarships. This is for Indian students to study in Australia for up to four years. The scholarships are part of the wider Maitri programme that seeks to boost cultural, educational and community ties between Australia and India,” Albanese said.

    Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Governor Acharya Devvrat were also present on the occasion.

    AHMEDABAD: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Wednesday announced that his country and the Indian government have finalized the `Australia-India Education Qualification Recognition Mechanism.’

    Albanese, on a visit to India, was speaking at a programme here to officially announce that Australia’s Deakin University would be setting up an international branch campus at GIFT City in Gujarat’s Gandhinagar.

    “There is a significant development in our bilateral education relations. I am pleased to tell you that we have finalised Australia-India Education Qualification Recognition Mechanism,” he said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    “This new mechanism means that if you are an Indian student who is studying or have studied in Australia, your hard-earned degree will be recognised when you return home. Or if you are a member of Australia’s very large Indian diaspora — 500,000 and growing — you will feel more confident that your Indian qualification will be recognised in Australia,” he said.

    It is the most comprehensive and ambitious arrangement agreed to by India with any country, Albanese said.

    “It paved the way for commercial opportunities for Australian education providers to offer innovative and more accessible education to Indian students. And it provides a solid basis for educational institutions to consider new ways to partner with each other,” he said.

    “It is a fantastic piece of work that will have real tangible benefits,” the visiting prime minister added.

    He also announced a new scholarship for Indian students who want to study in Australia. “I am pleased to announce a new scholarship offering — the Maitri scholarships. This is for Indian students to study in Australia for up to four years. The scholarships are part of the wider Maitri programme that seeks to boost cultural, educational and community ties between Australia and India,” Albanese said.

    Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Governor Acharya Devvrat were also present on the occasion.

  • Australian PM to visit India, likely to ink deal in rare earth mineral sector

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: The upcoming visit of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to India will is expected to boost significant investments in the rare earth and critical minerals sector.  

    Australian Ambassador Barry O’Farrell said, “Australia is blessed with critical minerals and India is a reliable and trusted partner. There could be talks around cooperation in this sector when PM Albanese visits India on March 8th.”

    The Australian Prime Minister lands in Ahmedabad on Wednesday and is expected to take part in Holi celebrations. He is also scheduled to watch the India-Australia cricket test match with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and will later hold bilateral talks with his Indian counterpart on Friday.

    This will be Albanese’s first visit to India after assuming the Prime Minister’s office. He is expected to meet PM Modi thrice this year – the second meeting is expected during the G20 Summit, while the third meeting will take place during the Quad summit in Australia. 

    PM Albanese will be making his first visit to India after assuming charge as PM and is slated to meet PM Modi thrice this year. The second meeting between the two leaders will be during the G20 Summit and the third during the Quad Summit in Australia. A 27-member delegation including Trade minister Don Farrell and Resources Minister Madeleine King are expected to accompany the Australian PM.

    Australia is also in the process of setting up a University campus in Gujarat and an announcement will be made during the upcoming visit. “The New Education Policy (NEP) has opened the doors for Indian students to get admitted in an Australian University which has a campus in India,” Ambassador Farrell said.

    Meanwhile, both nations have received a boost following the signing of the Economic Comprehensive Trade Agreement (ECTA) which came into force on December 29, 2022. Under the pact, Australia was to offer zero-duty access to India for about 96. 4 per cent of exports (by value) from the day the agreement was enforced.

    Commerce Minister, Piyush Goyal is expected to have talks with his visiting Australian counterpart Don Farrell too later this week. Furthermore, India and Australia will also look at increasing joint defence exercises, and enhancing information sharing in the maritime domain.

    The Australian envoy also responded to incidents of vandalism of Hindu temples in Australia over the past two months, allegedly by pro-Khalistan supporters. “Australia believes in freedom of expression, but there is no space for any hate speech,’’ he said.

    NEW DELHI: The upcoming visit of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to India will is expected to boost significant investments in the rare earth and critical minerals sector.  

    Australian Ambassador Barry O’Farrell said, “Australia is blessed with critical minerals and India is a reliable and trusted partner. There could be talks around cooperation in this sector when PM Albanese visits India on March 8th.”

    The Australian Prime Minister lands in Ahmedabad on Wednesday and is expected to take part in Holi celebrations. He is also scheduled to watch the India-Australia cricket test match with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and will later hold bilateral talks with his Indian counterpart on Friday.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    This will be Albanese’s first visit to India after assuming the Prime Minister’s office. He is expected to meet PM Modi thrice this year – the second meeting is expected during the G20 Summit, while the third meeting will take place during the Quad summit in Australia. 

    PM Albanese will be making his first visit to India after assuming charge as PM and is slated to meet PM Modi thrice this year. The second meeting between the two leaders will be during the G20 Summit and the third during the Quad Summit in Australia. A 27-member delegation including Trade minister Don Farrell and Resources Minister Madeleine King are expected to accompany the Australian PM.

    Australia is also in the process of setting up a University campus in Gujarat and an announcement will be made during the upcoming visit. “The New Education Policy (NEP) has opened the doors for Indian students to get admitted in an Australian University which has a campus in India,” Ambassador Farrell said.

    Meanwhile, both nations have received a boost following the signing of the Economic Comprehensive Trade Agreement (ECTA) which came into force on December 29, 2022. Under the pact, Australia was to offer zero-duty access to India for about 96. 4 per cent of exports (by value) from the day the agreement was enforced.

    Commerce Minister, Piyush Goyal is expected to have talks with his visiting Australian counterpart Don Farrell too later this week. Furthermore, India and Australia will also look at increasing joint defence exercises, and enhancing information sharing in the maritime domain.

    The Australian envoy also responded to incidents of vandalism of Hindu temples in Australia over the past two months, allegedly by pro-Khalistan supporters. “Australia believes in freedom of expression, but there is no space for any hate speech,’’ he said.

  • India-Australia trade pact to facilitate exchange of students, professionals, tourists: PM Narendra Modi

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The economic cooperation and trade agreement signed between India and Australia will enable the two countries to fully leverage the existing opportunities, besides facilitating the exchange of students, professionals and tourists, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday.

    The India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (IndAus ECTA) was signed by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and his Australian counterpart Dan Tehan in the presence of Prime Minister Modi and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison in a virtual ceremony.

    Modi said signing of the pact in such a short span of time reflects the depth of the mutual confidence between the countries.

    He also underlined the huge potential that exists in the two economies to fulfil each other’s needs, adding that this agreement will enable the countries to fully leverage these opportunities.

    “This is a watershed moment for our bilateral relations…On the basis of this agreement, together, we will be able to increase the resilience of supply chains, and also contribute to the stability of the Indo-Pacific region,” Modi noted.

    This agreement, he said, will also facilitate the exchange of students, professionals, and tourists between the two nations.

    Terming the signing of the pact as another milestone in the growing relationship between India and Australia, Prime Minister Morrison said the agreement further develops on the promise of the relationship.

    Apart from increased trade and economic cooperation, he said, the agreement will further deepen the “warm and close ties” between the people of the two countries by expanding work, study and travel opportunities.

    The Australian Prime Minister said the agreement would create enormous trade diversification opportunities for domestic producers and service providers bound for India, valued at up to USD 14.8 billion each year.

    “This agreement opens a big door into the world’s fastest growing major economy for Australian farmers, manufacturers, producers and so many more,” he said, adding by unlocking the huge market of around 1.4 billion consumers in India, “we are strengthening the economy and growing jobs right here at home”.

    Further, he said the agreement is great news for lobster fishers in Tasmania, wine producers in South Australia, macadamia farmers in Queensland, critical minerals miners in Western Australia, lamb farmers from New South Wales, wool producers from Victoria and metallic ore producers from the Northern Territory.

    “This agreement has been built on our strong security partnership and our joint efforts in the Quad, which has created the opportunity for our economic relationship to advance to a new level,” he noted.

  • India, Australia ink economic cooperation and trade pact to boost ties

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: India and Australia on Saturday signed an economic cooperation and trade agreement under which Canberra would provide duty free access in its market for over 95 per cent of Indian goods such as textiles, leather, jewellery and sports products.

    The India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement was inked by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Australian Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Dan Tehan in a virtual ceremony, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison.

    It is 2 out of 2 in 2022!After the momentous India-UAE CEPA, India & Australia walk the talk and sign the historic Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement.We are opening new gateways for our businesses and people to take the fast-lane to greater prosperity. #IndAusECTA pic.twitter.com/9eiH0Up7Qa
    — Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) April 2, 2022
    This is truly a watershed moment for India-Australia relations, Prime Minister Modi said. Morrison added that the pact will further deepen Australia’s close ties with India. “The agreement will help in taking bilateral trade from USD 27 billion to USD 45-50 billion in the next five years,” Goyal said.

    Australia is offering zero duty access to India for about 96.4 per cent of exports (by value) from day one. This covers many products which currently attract 4-5 per cent customs duty in Australia.

    Labour intensive sectors which would gain immensely include textiles and apparel, few agricultural and fish products, leather, footwear, furniture, sports goods, jewellery, machinery, electrical goods and railway wagons.

    Australia is the 17th largest trading partner of India, while New Delhi is Canberra’s 9th largest partner. Bilateral trade in goods and services stood at USD 27.5 billion in 2021. India’s goods exports were worth USD 6.9 billion and imports aggregated to USD 15.1 billion in 2021.

    Major exports by India to Australia include petroleum products, textiles and apparels, engineering goods, leather, chemicals and gems and jewellery. Imports mainly include raw materials, coal, minerals and intermediate goods.

  • Modi meets ex-Aus PM Abbott; leaders vow to strengthen trade, investment, economic cooperation

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met former Australian premier Tony Abbott on Thursday with the two leaders emphasising that enhanced economic cooperation between India and Australia would help the two countries in realising their shared vision of a stable, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.

    Modi and Abott, who is visiting India from August 2-6 in his capacity as Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s Special Trade Envoy for India, discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral trade, investment and economic cooperation to realise the full potential of the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) here.

    They emphasized that enhanced economic cooperation between India and Australia would help both countries better address the economic challenges emerging out of the COVID-19 pandemic, and would also help them in realising their shared vision of a stable, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific region, the statement said.

    Prime Minister Modi expressed his satisfaction at the stellar growth of India-Australia ties in recent times and admired the important contributions of Prime Minister Morrison and former prime minister Abbott in this journey.

    “Delighted to meet @HonTonyAbbott, Special Envoy of PM @ScottMorrisonMP. Had a good conversation on ways to further strengthen our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Also discussed the steps needed to energise our trade and economic relationship and boost people-to-people ties,” Modi tweeted.

    Delighted to meet @HonTonyAbbott, Special Envoy of PM @ScottMorrisonMP. Had a good conversation on ways to further strengthen our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Also discussed the steps needed to energize our trade and economic relationship and boost people-to-people ties. pic.twitter.com/Ynrr1fqQP0
    — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 5, 2021
    During the meeting, Modi also recalled his virtual summit last year with Prime Minister Morrison and reiterated his desire to be able to host the Australian PM in India as soon as conditions permit, the statement said.

    At the virtual summit held between Modi and Morrison on June 4, 2020, the bilateral relationship was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, under which India and Australia committed to encourage expanded trade and investment flows for mutual benefit and decided to re-engage on a bilateral Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA).

    The present visit by Tony Abbott is reflective of this shared ambition, the statement said.

    At an online media briefing, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said Abbott will also visit Gujarat to explore opportunities for expanding trade and investment.

    “Naturally, he will also meet officials and other interlocutors both here and in Gujarat,” Bagchi said.

  • Strong India-Australia partnership will play key role in shaping post-COVID world: PM Modi

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: The strong India-Australia partnership will play an important role in shaping the post-COVID world, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday and expressed confidence that the two countries would take the lead in providing circular economy solutions.

    Addressing the valedictory function of the India-Australia Circular Economy Hackathon, Modi said consumption-oriented economic models have put a great strain on the planet.

    “We must never forget that we are not the owners of all that Mother Earth has to offer, but merely its trustees for all the future generations to come,” he said.

    Stressing that it is not enough to make production processes more efficient and less polluting, Modi said no matter how fast or slow one drives, if the direction is wrong, then one is bound to reach the wrong destination.

    “And so, we must set the right direction,” he added.

    The prime minister called for looking at consumption patterns, and how their ecological impact can be reduced.

    Noting that this is where the concept of a circular economy comes in, Modi said the concept can be a key step in solving many of our challenges.

    Recycling and reusing things, eliminating waste, and improving resource efficiency must become part of our lifestyles, the prime minister asserted.

    Modi and his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison also felicitated the participants of the India Australia Circular Economy Hackathon(I-ACE) at a virtual award ceremony.

    The idea of the hackathon originated during the India-Australia Virtual Leaders’ Summit between the Prime Ministers of India and Australia, held on June 4, 2020.

    “This hackathon has seen innovative solutions from Indian and Australian students, start-ups and entrepreneurs.

    These innovations show your commitment to the philosophy of circular economy,” Modi said.

    “I have no doubt that your innovations will inspire our two countries to take the lead in circular economy solutions,” he said.

    Also, ways must be explored to scale-up and incubate these ideas, Modi said.

    Circular economy implies reusing waste back into the production cycle to make new products instead of wasting such materials with embedded resources.

    Modi asserted that the power of youth comes from openness to new ideas and innovations, and the ability to take risks.

    The energy and enthusiasm of today’s youthful participants is a symbol of the forward-looking partnership between India and Australia, he said.

    “I have full confidence in the energy, creativity and out-of-box thinking of our youth.

    They can offer sustainable, holistic solutions to not just our two countries but to the whole world,” the prime minister said.

    The strong India-Australia partnership will play an important role in shaping the post-COVID world, he said.

    “And our youth, our young innovators, our start-ups, will be at the forefront of this partnership,” Modi asserted.

    He noted that in June last year, Australian Prime Minister Morrison and he discussed the possibility of organising a hackathon on the circular economy, and was happy that their idea has been realised so soon.

    In his remarks, Morrison also lauded the joint initiative.

    The I-ACE Hackathon was organised jointly by the Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog, India and Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), Australia with the aim of enabling students and start-ups/MSMEs from both countries to present innovative solutions for the development of a circular economy across the food system value chain.

    The I-ACE Hackathon addressed four themes — Innovation in packaging – reducing packaging waste; Innovation in food supply chains – avoiding waste; Creating opportunities for plastics waste reduction; Recycling critical energy metals and e-waste.

    I-ACE Hackathon was launched on October 16, 2020 and the initial round received over 1000 registrations from India and Australia.

    The finals were held between February 9 and 11, 2021 where more than 200 participants in 39 teams from India and 33 teams from Australia took part.

    Two university teams and two start-up/MSMEs from India and Australia were declared as winners for each of the four themes.

    The winners will be supported by the innovation and incubation ecosystems of both Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog and CSIRO Australia to enable them develop their solutions into products.