PM Modi meets Australia's Deputy PM, who supported India in the fight against terrorism
India-Australia: Australia's Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday. During this, many important issues, including strategic partnership and defense cooperation, were discussed between the two leaders.
Australia's Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles, who is in India for a visit, met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday. Various key issues, including defense collaboration and strategic partnership, were among those that were discussed between the two leaders. Offering sympathies to the families of the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack, Marles reaffirmed Australia's complete support for India's struggle against cross-border terrorism. Marles added that Australia will stand with India in the struggle against terrorism. Both nations will remain on the same side in the struggle against terrorism.
Prime Minister Modi congratulated Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on the historic victory of the Labor Party in the federal elections. PM Modi and Marles discussed ways to further deepen this cooperation on the occasion of the fifth anniversary of the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The meeting emphasized enhancing cooperation in key areas such as defense industrial cooperation, supply chain strengthening, critical minerals, and new and emerging technologies. The two leaders reiterated that the shared vision for stability, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region will continue to guide bilateral cooperation. During this, Marles also reiterated Australia's full support in India's fight against cross-border terrorism.
After the meeting, PM Modi wrote on social media, "Glad to meet Australian Deputy Prime Minister Marles. On the occasion of the fifth anniversary of the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, there was a meaningful discussion on deepening our cooperation. A shared vision for stability, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region is the basis of our partnership."
Earlier, Australian Defense Minister Marles visited the National Martyrs Memorial in Delhi and paid tribute to the martyrs and met his Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh. The two leaders held extensive discussions focusing on various aspects of bilateral defense cooperation as well as India's challenges on its border with Pakistan. Both countries resolved to further strengthen their strategic relations. Marles said Australia's relations with India are of top priority. We want to make it clear that Australia stands with India and all countries in fighting terrorism. Both countries will continue to work together in the fight against terrorism. Also, we welcome the end of military confrontation between India and Pakistan. Marles is on a tour of four South East Asian countries, including India, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Indonesia, from 2 to 5 June.
