PM Modi and PM Scott Morrison, joined the India-Australia Virtual Summit 2022 held on 21 March, 2022 and reaffirmed their commitment to the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) in a joint statement. The leaders committed to a free, fair, inclusive and rules-based trade environment.
They reaffirmed to uphold and strengthen the rules‑based multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at its core, and looked forward to MC12 which has been agreed to be held in June.
Both leaders committed to work closely on economic issues of global interests and concerns and looked forward to India’s 2023 G20 presidency. Morrison expressed his pleasure to refer to the launch of the Australia India Infrastructure Forum and Australia’s intention to open a new Consulate-General in Bengaluru.
They welcomed further multilateral energy cooperation ahead of the 2022 International Energy Agency (IEA) Ministerial meeting, including Australia’s funding contribution of $2 million to the IEA Clean Energy Transitions Programme to support enhanced IEA‑India activities.
PM Modi and PM Morrison
Both leaders underlined the importance of India and Australia’s space engagement including Australia’s ongoing support of India’s Gaganyaan Space Program and a dedicated India stream of the Australian Space Agency’s International Space Investment initiative.
Modi and Morrison expressed their serious concern about the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. They reiterated the need for an immediate cessation of hostilities. They emphasised that the contemporary global order has been built on the UN Charter, international law and respect for sovereignty and the territorial integrity of states.
Prime Minister Morrison announced the establishment of the Centre for Australia‑India Relations, to be based in Australia, in addition to the new Maitri Scholarships Program, the Maitri Grants and Fellowships Program and the Australia‑India Maitri Cultural Partnership.
Other key highlights from the joint statement include:
- Renewal of Australia India Memorandum of Understanding on Tourism Cooperation.
- Early resolution of the issue of taxation of offshore income of Indian firms under the India‑Australia Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA).
- Extension of the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund (AISRF) – a pillar of collaboration on science, technology and research – and the commitment to build on the successful 2021 India‑Australia Circular Economy Hackathon.
- Appropriate actions to reduce emissions to address climate change, energy security and job creation, and continuing international collaboration, including through the Quad, the G20, the UNFCCC and International Solar Alliance.
- Remain closely engaged on the issue and its broader implications for the Indo-Pacific.
- Memorandum of Understanding between India’s Khanij Bidesh Ltd. (KABIL) and Australia’s Critical Minerals Facilitation Office (CMFO) for joint cooperation on critical minerals projects, signed.
- A Taskforce on Education Qualifications Recognition to improve arrangements for the recognition of qualifications (including those earned through diverse delivery modes) for access to higher education, and to support employment opportunities COVID-19 cooperation, to be established.
The meeting reinforced the warm, close bonds between India and Australia and the Leaders reiterated their commitment to driving the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to new heights.
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