Virtual Summit of India and Australia

On the day of 21st March 2022, India and Australia did a virtual summit. At the summit, there were discussions about the topics such as critical minerals, critical investment, defence, migration, technological cooperation, and digital sectors.

There are were discussions about the current situation, and the things which are going on currently in the world also. Australian PM Scott Morrison said countries in the Indo-Pacific should ensure that the “terrible” happenings of Ukraine never happen in the region, while, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for increased cooperation in fields such as enhancing technologies as the 2 leaders held their 2nd virtual summit.

Let me tell you more about it! This 2022 latest summit followed the 1st Virtual Summit of June 4, the year 2020, when the bilateral relationship was increased to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

An important outcome of the latest virtual summit was the decision to do annual summits at the level of the Heads of Government under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

You should also know that Morrison was scheduled to come to India in January, the year 2020 but had to cancel his trip because of the Black Summer bushfires, a duration of major, large-scale bushfires breaking out across the country of Australia. Also, his visit in the year 2021 had to be cancelled because of the COVID pandemic.

Both the leaders, Modi and Morrison discussed the requirement to speedily conclude a (CECA) comprehensive economic cooperation agreement the 2 sides are negotiating, stating the pact is significant for economic recovery and security.

Modi expressed that the 2 sides had agreed on a strategy for annual summits that will make structural arrangements to continuously review bilateral relations. Further, he noted the strong progress in cooperation in defence, trade, innovation and science and tech and a gradual increase in collaboration in new emerging fields such as water management, critical minerals, and renewable energy.

The Indian leader Modi thanked Morrison, who he called “my dear friend”, for the return of 29 Indian artefacts that were taken out of the country India from Gujarat, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, and some other states. He further thanked Morrison for his regards for Holi and the BJP’s election victories.

Now, Australia is expected to declare investments of Aus $ 280 (more than ₹1,500 crores) and a few initiatives to increase cooperation in fields ranging from rare earth minerals to defence. So, this is all about the summit.