Rio de Janeiro:

India and Australia on Tuesday officially launched the Renewable Energy Partnership aimed at boosting two-way investment in the renewable energy sectors as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese here.

The two leaders held the 2nd India-Australia Annual Summit on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro during which they reiterated their commitment to further advance the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in myriad areas like defence & security, trade & investment, education, skills, sports, space, mobility & people-to-people ties.

Both leaders welcomed the launch of the Renewable Energy Partnership (REP), as agreed during the 1st India-Australia annual summit.

“India and Australia have shared ambition to move faster, work together and deploy our complementary capabilities to drive climate action,” according to a joint statement.

“The Prime Ministers welcomed the launch of the India-Australia Renewable Energy Partnership (REP) which would provide the framework for practical cooperation in priority areas such as solar PV, green hydrogen, energy storage, two-way investment in renewable energy projects and allied areas; and upgraded skills training for the renewables workforce of the future,” the joint statement read.

“Our renewable energy partnership is officially launched,” Albanese said, adding that this new partnership will boost two-way investment in the renewable energy sectors in things like solar, green hydrogen and the renewables workforce. “We are doing so much work together on driving renewable energy transition to meet our net zero targets,” he said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Canberra:

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday called on Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and discussed ways to deepen the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership.

During the meeting, Mr Jaishankar also conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s greeting to Mr Albanese. The minister is on an official visit to Australia from November 3-7.

“Delighted to call on PM Anthony Albanese in Canberra today. Conveyed warm greetings of PM @narendramodi. Value his guidance for deepening India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” Mr Jaishankar wrote on X.

Earlier, Mr Jaishankar met Peter Dutton, the leader of the Liberal Party of Australia.  

“Shared perspectives on global issues and appreciate his support for our bilateral ties,” Mr Jaishankar said after meeting Dutton.

He also met New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters in Canberra.

“Discussed education, technology, agriculture, technology and people-to-people ties. Also exchanged views on Indo-Pacific and global issues,” Mr Jaishankar said on his meeting with Peters.

Mr Jaishankar also met UAE’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

“So nice to meet my friend DPM & FM @ABZayed  of UAE in Canberra today,” Mr Jaishankar posted on X. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Richard Marles congratulated Rajnath Singh for taking charge as the Defence Minister for a second consecutive term. File
| Photo Credit: ANI

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held a telephone conversation with Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles on July 4 and the discussions focused on closer collaboration between the two countries in the Indo-Pacific. 

“We reviewed a range of issues pertaining to defence cooperation and discussed closer collaboration between India and Australia in the Indo-Pacific. We place great value on India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Australia,” Mr. Singh said on social media platform ‘X’ (formerly Twitter). 

Both Ministers noted the transformative progress in defence cooperation under the comprehensive strategic partnership, and appreciated the momentum achieved in the ties since the last India-Australia 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, which the two Ministers attended in November 2023, a Defence Ministry statement said. Australia considers India a top-tier security partner in their National Defence Strategy document released few months back.

Mr. Richard Marles congratulated Rajnath Singh for taking charge as the Defence Minister for a second consecutive term, and appreciated the functioning of the Indian democratic system wherein people voted in large numbers, the statement added.

Philip Green, Australian Envoy to India. File
| Photo Credit: ANI

Any bilateral relationship can experience “occasional speed bumps” but our strategic, economic, and people to people partnerships with India are very strong, said Philip Green, Australian Envoy to India. “I am very confident we will move ahead with great velocity in the years to come.” The envoy refused to answer questions on “intelligence matters.”

Last week, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Australia will uphold its democratic values in the face of “foreign interference”. She was responding to reports that India had at one point in the past operated a “nest of spies” on Australian soil. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) had reported that Indian ‘spies’ were “kicked out” after they were “caught trying to steal secrets about sensitive defence projects and airport security.”

Strategic balance

“India is an indispensable part of the balancing… and the strategic balance in the Indian Ocean cannot be fashioned without engagement with India… Beyond the defence domain, and this is really important, we see India as a key partner in economic security. We want to develop better supply chain resilience… Beyond that, India is a key part of our trade diversification agenda,” Mr. Green said speaking at the Observer Research Foundation.

On April 17, Australia released its new National Defence Strategy (NDS) 2024 which termed India a “top-tier security partner” and said that through the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries, the government is continuing to prioritise “practical and tangible cooperation” that directly contributes to Indo-Pacific stability. The Envoy said what is most notable is how fast India has become a top tier partner, compared to many others. It happened over the last five years, he noted.

Mr. Green said the Indo-Pacific region is experiencing superpower competition and boundary disputes are intensifying. “China is undertaking the biggest military buildup the world has seen since World War II. And that build up is happening without transparency or strategic reassurance,” he stated.

Chinese arms build up

He also referred to China’s territorial disputes and how it managed them. Given the strategic risks, the Envoy said they want a region where the large and the mighty don’t dominate the small and the less mighty.

What we are seeking to establish for ourselves is a sustainable strategic balance and a region where states can express their sovereignty and freedom, Mr. Green stated.

Australia is doubling down on military capability, Mr. Green said noting that defence spending has increased from 2.1% to 2.4% of GDP and the Army is being transformed into an amphibious force, while the surface combat fleet is being doubled.

The Envoy said recent bilateral visits have tempered the relationship with China. He said they have reached a “new equilibrium” with China. We know we have differences with China and we are able to express the problems and discuss them in private and exist side by side, he said noting that China is a very important trade and economic partner.