Prime Minister Albanese meets with Prime Minister Modi

Prime Minister Albanese on Twitter:

“So wonderful to see my friend Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, and to celebrate the rich connections between our two countries and our people. We had a discussion on how India and Australia can work more closely on Indo-Pacific security, including as Quad partners.”

Prime Minister Albanese at his press conference:

PRIME MINISTER ALBANESE: “I also met with Prime Minister Modi of India, where we discussed the finalisation of the closer economic cooperation agreement between Australia and India, which we regard as being very important for expanding the economic relationship between Australia and India. I will visit India in March. We’ll take a business delegation to India. And that will be an important visit and an upgrade in the relationship that we have between our two nations. And of course, Prime Minister Modi will visit Australia next year for the Quad Leaders’ meeting. And then I will return to India later in the year for the G20 Summit. We also spoke about the details of the Quad Leaders’ meeting that will take place next year.”

JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, you invited Joe Biden to address the Parliament when he comes here for the Quad Leaders’ Summit. Did you extend an invitation for Prime Minister Modi?

PRIME MINISTER: I extended an invitation for Prime Minister Modi to enter into discussions. He would be very welcome to either address the Parliament. Or perhaps something that he might also want to do is to address the diaspora in Australia is what he spoke about. So, if Prime Minister Modi, who will be at the Quad Leaders’ Summit being held in Australia, he wants to engage with the diaspora community in Australia, we very much would welcome that as well. But we’ll engage with that. He’ll be a very welcome visitor.

Prime Minister Modi on Twitter:

“Glad to meet PM Albanese. Discussed ways to further cement the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with a focus on cooperation in education, innovation and other sectors. We also talked about increasing trade and maritime cooperation.”