Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday held a bilateral meeting with his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese in Sydney, Australia. The meeting was also attended by India's External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar and National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval. In a joint briefing with Albanese after the meeting, PM Modi discussed the issue of attacks on temples in Australia and said that the Australian counterpart has assured that strict action will be taken against those elements who have tried to harm the friendly and warm ties between the two countries.
“PM Anthony Albanese and I have in the past discussed the issue of attacks on temples in Australia and activities of separatist elements. We discussed the matter today also. We will not accept any elements that harm the friendly and warm ties between the India-Australia relationship by their action or thoughts. PM Albanese assured me once again today that he will take strict actions against such elements in the future also,” PM Modi said as quoted by the news agency ANI.
PM Modi said that during the meeting, discussions were also held on strengthening the strategic cooperation in the sectors of mining and critical minerals. We had constructive discussions on strengthening our strategic cooperation in the sectors of mining and critical minerals...We have decided to set up a task force on green hydrogen: PM Modi.
PM Modi also invited Albanese and all the Australian cricket fans to India for the cricket world cup which will be held later this year. I invite PM Anthony Albanese and all Australian cricket fans to India for the Cricket World Cup this year. At that time, you will also get to see the grand Diwali celebration in India: PM Modi said. PM Modi was on Wednesday accorded a Ceremonial Guard of Honour at the Admiralty House in Sydney, Australia.
Prime Minister Modi also signed the visitors' book at the Admiralty House in Sydney.
Earlier on Tuesday, PM Modi in his key address to the Indian diaspora at a community event during his Sydney visit, highlighted "Mutual Trust and Mutual Respect" are the foundation of the close historical ties between India and Australia.
Noting that bilateral ties between India and Australia were earlier seen to be defined by 3Cs- Commonwealth, Cricket, and Curry- and then by 'Democracy, Diaspora and Dosti' and later 'Energy, Economy and Education' emerged as a key component, Prime Minister Modi said that he believes the relationship is "beyond this" and "it is mutual trust and mutual respect".
Addressing the community event in Sydney on the second day of his visit to Australia, PM Modi credited the Indian diaspora in Australia as being a force behind mutual respect and trust between the two countries. "Earlier, it was said that India and Australia's relation is defined by 3Cs- Commonwealth, Cricket and Curry. Then it was said that our relationship is defined by 'Democracy, Diaspora and Dosti. Some people also said that our relationship depends on Energy, Economy and Education. But I believe that the relation between India-Australia is beyond this, it is mutual trust and mutual respect," he said to a packed arena at Sydney Olympic Park.
PM Modi held meetings with business leaders of top Australian companies in Sydney on Tuesday, During the meetings, he called for enhancing cooperation with the Indian industry in areas such as technology, skilling, and clean energy.