NEW DELHI (CU)_The first India-Australia virtual summit was held in June 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time, relations between the two countries had elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and during the second summit, the two leaders are expected to commit closer cooperation in several critical areas.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually meet his Australian counterpart PM Scott Morrison on Monday, during which they will review the progress on various initiatives that were launched under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The pair is expected to commit to closer cooperation in trade, education, critical minerals and migration and mobility, while Canberra is also expected to announce investments worth AUD280 million (US$207.1 million) in total.
“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,” read a statement published by PM Modi’s office.
The summit will take place amid the escalating conflict between Russia and Ukraine, on which India’s position has deviated from that of the other Quad members. The South Asian nation is the only member of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue which has avoided criticising Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine. Delhi has not only failed to support sanctions launched by western superpowers against Russian officials and entities, but has also decided to purchase crude oil from the transcontinental nation at a discounted rate.
“The Quad countries have accepted India’s position. We understand that each country has bilateral relationships,” Australian high commissioner Barry O’Farrell said during a media briefing. “And it is clear from the comments of the (ministry of external affairs and Prime Minister Narendra Modi) that he has used his contacts to call for the end of the conflict and no country will be unhappy with that.”
