Ties that bind: On India-Australia ties and the Modi visit

Context:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s three-day visit to Australia this week coincided with a year since Labour Party leader Anthony Albanese was elected Prime Minister, and gave a fillip to growing bipartisan ties.

Real reason, Real Power:

• The Indian PM’s Sydney sojourn was much more in the spotlight, particularly his address to the Indian community as well as the address to business groups. 
• The Indian PM said that the “real reason, the real power” behind the bilateral relations came from people of Indian-origin. 

The announcements:

• Opening an Australian consulate in Bengaluru and an Indian consulate in Brisbane.
• An agreement on Migration and Mobility.
• The finalization of terms of reference for an India-Australia Green Hydrogen Task Force.

Part of the substantive agenda:

• Defense and security ties
• Cooperation on renewable energy, and critical minerals
• Maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific
• Dealing with an aggressive China

Concerns by India:

• Mr. Modi repeated his concerns over vandalism and attacks defacing community centres and temples with pro-Khalistani, anti-India and anti-Modi graffiti. 

Conclusion:

While the growing incidents of attacks in Australia may be cause for worry, it is by no means clear that giving them centre-stage during such visits is conducive to strengthening the common understanding between both countries, or in the best interests of the “three D’s” Mr. Modi said bind the two countries today — Democracy, Diaspora and Dosti [Friendship].

News Source: The Hindu

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