1st
India-Australia Annual Summit - Joint Statement
·
Economy, Trade
and Investments
·
Climate,
energy, science and technology, and research cooperation
·
Defence and
Security Cooperation
·
People-to-People
Ties
·
Regional and
Multilateral Cooperation
(March 10, 2023)
At the invitation
of Hon’ble Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of Australia
the Hon’ble Anthony Albanese MP, paid a State Visit to India from 8 to 11 March
2023. Prime Minister Albanese was accompanied by Minister for Trade and Tourism,
Senator the Hon’ble Don Farrell, Minister for Resources, the Hon’ble Madeleine King
MP, a high-level official delegation and a large business delegation. Prime Minister
Albanese visited Ahmedabad, Mumbai and New Delhi on his first bilateral visit to
India.
2. Reaffirming
the strength of the multifaceted bilateral ties that have deepened under the India-Australia
Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established in June 2020, and based on the foundation
of mutual trust, shared democratic values, common interests and strong people-to-people
ties, both Prime Ministers held the 1st Annual Summit in New Delhi on 10 March 2023.
Both Prime Ministers expressed satisfaction at the rapid expansion of bilateral
relations facilitated by frequent high-level contact and exchange of Ministerial
visits, which have further strengthened and deepened cooperation across a diverse
range of areas, including political and strategic, defence and security, trade and
investment, education and research, agriculture and water, cyber and space, mining
and critical minerals, climate change and renewable energy, and mobility of people.
Welcoming the sustained momentum in bilateral and multilateral cooperation, the
Prime Ministers agreed that the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
was beneficial not only for both countries but also for an open, inclusive, stable
and prosperous Indo-Pacific, where the rules-based international order is upheld.
3. Prime Minister
Albanese expressed Australia’s strong support for India’s G20 presidency and its
priorities for the forum in 2023. The Prime Ministers looked forward to India’s
successful G20 presidency this year, and reiterated their commitment to work closely
on issues of global interests and shared priorities to realise inclusive, ambitious,
decisive and action-oriented outcomes, in areas such as achieving the Sustainable
Development Goals; technological transformation; inclusive and resilient growth;
green development, climate finance and LiFE (Lifestyle
for the Environment); reinvigorated multilateralism; reforms and international cooperation;
mainstreaming gender equality and advancing women’s empowerment and inclusive leadership.
Prime Minister Albanese congratulated the leadership of Prime Minister Modi on India’s
G20 presidency. Prime Minister Modi briefed Prime Minister Albanese on India’s hosting
of the Voice of Global South Summit to hear the ideas of the developing world in
health, food security, affordable access to energy, climate finance and technologies
and economic growth.
Economy, Trade
and Investments
4. The Prime Ministers
welcomed the strength of the economic relationship and committed to further developing
trade and investment ties and fostering ongoing economic cooperation.
5. The Prime Ministers
welcomed the entry into force of the landmark India-Australia Economic Cooperation
and Trade Agreement (ECTA) on 29 December 2022 and emphasised the significant opportunities
to diversify and expand two-way trade. They also noted with satisfaction the resolution
of the long-standing issue of taxation of offshore income of Indian firms under
the India-Australia Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA). They looked forward
to greater two-way trade and business engagement under ECTA, thereby further strengthening
existing people-to-people links and cultural exchange.
6. The Prime Ministers
welcomed progress in negotiations building on the foundation laid by the ECTA, including
new areas of trade, investment and cooperation. The Prime Ministers looked forward
to swift progress in negotiations and for an early conclusion of an ambitious Comprehensive
Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA), to realise the full potential of the bilateral
economic relationship, thus creating new employment opportunities, raising living
standards and improving the general welfare of the peoples of both countries.
7. The Prime Ministers
welcomed the convening of the India-Australia CEO Forum and encouraged businesses
on both sides to cultivate links; explore emerging economic and investment opportunities,
including as an outcome of ECTA, and to leverage the significant complementarities
of the two economies. They agreed that Australia’s comparative strength in raw materials,
critical minerals and innovative research coupled with India’s scale, market size
and low-cost manufacturing space can lead to fruitful and mutually beneficial outcomes
through partnerships between Indian and Australian companies.
8. The Prime Ministers
highlighted the significance of robust bilateral trade and investment flows through
diversified, transparent, open, secure, inclusive and predictable global supply
chains. In this regard, they welcomed initiatives to strengthen regional cooperation
through the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) and the Supply Chain Resilience
Initiative (SCRI) between India, Australia and Japan, and decided to further strengthen
cooperation in these areas.
9. The Prime Ministers
noted that future industrial security and decarbonisation efforts require access
to critical minerals and their reliable processing and availability. They reiterated
their shared commitment to building secure, resilient and sustainable critical minerals
supply chains essential to, inter alia, clean energy, electric vehicles, semiconductors,
aerospace and defence. They expressed satisfaction at the progress under the Memorandum
of Understanding between India’s Khanij Bidesh Ltd. (KABIL) and Australia’s Critical Minerals Office
and looked forward to the continued development of critical minerals supply chains.
10. The Prime Ministers
acknowledged the challenging headwinds facing the global economy, including geopolitical
conflict, elevated energy prices, the ongoing impacts of the pandemic, inflation
pressures and fragmented supply chains. The Prime Ministers affirmed their shared
commitment to supporting economic growth, diversification of supply chains and strengthening
the rules-based multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at
its core. They emphasised the importance of implementing all 12th WTO Ministerial
Conference (MC12) outcomes including on reform, particularly to have a fully and
well-functioning dispute settlement system by 2024.
11. The Prime Ministers
acknowledged that greater cooperation and engagement in agriculture is important,
particularly in areas such as innovation, climate-smart agriculture and open trade,
all of which support global food security. As such, the Prime Ministers welcomed
the finalisation of market access for Australian Hass avocadoes to India and Indian
okra to Australia.
Climate, energy,
science and technology, and research cooperation
12. The Prime Ministers
recognised the urgent need to address climate change, implementing the Paris Agreement
and delivering on the outcomes of COP26 in Glasgow and COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh,
and to accelerate efforts for ambitious global climate action, particularly in the
Indo-Pacific. The Prime Ministers noted the importance of ensuring efforts to address
climate change are inclusive and gender-responsive.
13. The Prime Ministers
underscored their commitment to encourage climate action in accordance with each
country’s Nationally Determined Contributions while ensuring energy security, job
creation, poverty reduction and continuing international collaboration, including
through the Quad, the G20, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
(UNFCCC) and the International Solar Alliance (ISA). In this context, they reaffirmed
the importance of mindful consumption, more sustainable lifestyles and reducing
waste. Prime Minister Albanese welcomed Prime Minister Modi’s outline of his call
for environmentally-conscious sustainable lifestyles through the LiFE Movement. Prime Minister Modi welcomed Prime Minister Albanese’s
outline of the forthcoming roadmap for the India-Australia Industry and Research
Collaboration for Reducing Plastic Waste initiative, focused on plastic waste reduction
and circular economy cooperation.
14. The Prime Ministers
welcomed continued progress under the India‑Australia Energy Dialogue. The
Prime Ministers noted the existing collaboration between the two countries on solar
photovoltaic (PV) and hydrogen, two technologies that are critical to Australia
and India’s energy transition goals. The Prime Ministers welcomed the appointment
of Co-Chairs on both sides to the India-Australia Solar Taskforce, which will advise
on opportunities to accelerate solar PV deployment and enhance supply chains. The
Prime Ministers also acknowledged the proposal to establish an India-Australia Hydrogen
Task Force.
15. The Prime Ministers
highlighted the importance of opportunities for two-way investment in grid infrastructure
and the entire spectrum of renewable energy technologies, including large scale
generation, storage, green hydrogen and critical minerals/battery supply chain investment
and research and development. Given these broad areas for future collaboration,
the Prime Ministers also agreed to work towards elevating our bilateral cooperation
to a Renewable Energy Partnership, noting that cooperative initiatives will reduce
renewable energy costs and support the energy transition for Australia and India.
16. Welcoming progress
in cooperation in the areas of science, technology, innovation and research between
the two countries, the Prime Ministers welcomed Round 15 of the Australia-India
Strategic Research Fund (AISRF). They committed to further intensify this cooperation.
The Prime Ministers also announced the India-Australia Innovation and Technology
Challenge, building on the success of the inaugural India-Australia Circular Economy
Hackathon in 2021, and welcomed the signing of a supporting Letter of Intent between
CSIRO, Australia’s National Science Agency, and Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog,
for greater collaboration in fostering innovation.
17. Recognising
the importance of space, the Prime Ministers agreed to strengthening cooperation
in multilateral fora, including the United Nations, for the safe, sustainable and
secure use of space. The Prime Ministers recalled the participation of Australia
as a Partner Country in the 7th Bengaluru Space Expo and expressed their belief
that more India-Australia collaboration in the field of space should be fostered,
including scientific research, space applications and production and launch of satellites.
The Prime Ministers also announced the first round of Australia’s India-focused
International Space Investment grants program, designed to foster closer bilateral
collaboration on mutually beneficial space research and development projects. The
Prime Ministers underlined Australia’s ongoing support of India’s Gaganyaan Space Program.
18. India and Australia
looked forward to deepening their engagement within the Coalition for Disaster Resilient
Infrastructure (CDRI), particularly to enhance resilience of Small Island Developing
States (SIDS). Both countries will channel their pledged A$10 million through the
Infrastructure Resilience Accelerator Fund (IRAF) launched at COP-27 to support
SIDS under Infrastructure for Resilient Island States (IRIS) initiative of CDRI.
They also discussed exploring further collaboration in research and investments
in renewable energy technologies, which are going to be critical to achieving global
net zero emissions, while ensuring economic growth. Prime Minister Albanese looked
forward to cooperation with India through the India-Australia Minerals Scholar Network,
to develop an ecosystem of technical talent across both nations, with expertise
in green steel and critical minerals. The Network would support India’s emergence
as a renewable technology manufacturing powerhouse and Australia’s goal of becoming
a renewable energy superpower.
19. The Prime Ministers,
in view of the common challenges being faced by both countries on account of limited
quantum of freshwater availability and competing sectoral demands, emphasised the
need for sustainable water management. They expressed satisfaction at the initiatives
being undertaken under the umbrella of Joint Working Group for Water Resources Management
through technical exchanges and execution of demonstrative projects leading to institutional
capacity building for meeting the challenges of water sector.
Defence and Security Cooperation
20. The Prime Ministers
welcomed sustained progress under the defence and security pillar of the India-Australia
Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and discussed ways to further enhance it. Recognising
the increasingly uncertain global security environment, the Prime Ministers underscored
their unwavering commitment to strengthening the India-Australia defence and security
partnership to address shared challenges, and work towards an open, inclusive, stable
and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
21. The Prime Ministers
supported the convening this year of the 2+2 Defence and Foreign Ministerial Dialogue
and the meeting of the Defence Ministers which would enhance mutual understanding
and coordination of engagements between the two countries. The Prime Ministers recognised
the growing complexity and frequency of defence exercises and exchanges between
the two countries and acknowledged the increasing interoperability between the respective
forces through implementation of the India-Australia Mutual Logistics Support Arrangement.
They welcomed the arrangements between the two countries for enhancing Maritime
Domain Awareness in the Indian Ocean region, increased defence information sharing
and consolidation of mutual access that continue to deepen operational defence cooperation.
22. The Prime Ministers
agreed that, as a practical step, India and Australia may continue to explore conduct
of aircraft deployments from each other’s territories to build operational familiarity
and enhance maritime domain awareness.
23. In recognition
of India and Australia’s robust maritime partnership, the Prime Ministers welcomed
that Australia would host Exercise MALABAR in 2023 for the first time. The Prime
Ministers agreed this would bolster interoperability between participating navies.
24. The Prime Ministers
underscored the importance of regular exchanges between defence forces in building
interoperability. The Prime Ministers welcomed the commencement of the inaugural
landmark General Rawat India-Australia Young Officer Defence Exchange Programme
from 1 March 2023. The 15-day programme, with participation of 15 officers from
each of the two countries, is currently underway in India. Australia looks forward
to hosting Indian Armed Forces officers in 2024.
25. The Prime Ministers
highlighted the significance of defence industry, research and material cooperation
between the two countries and acknowledged the progress achieved under the Joint
Working Group to enhance cooperation in these areas. They expressed satisfaction
at the visit of an Australian delegation to Indian defence corridors in 2022 and
underscored the need for boosting connections between Indian and Australian defence
industrial bases.
26. The Prime Ministers
strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and emphasised
the need for strengthened international cooperation to combat terrorism in a comprehensive
and sustained manner, and to combat all those who encourage, support and finance
terrorism or provide sanctuary to terrorists and terror groups, whatever their motivation
may be. They called upon all countries to work together to root out terrorist safe
havens and infrastructure, disrupt terrorist networks and their financing channels
and halt use of terrorist proxies and cross-border movement of terrorists. They
reiterated their condemnation of terrorist attacks in India and Australia, including
the Mumbai and Pathankot attacks.
27. The Prime Ministers
emphasised the importance of perpetrators of terrorist attacks being systematically
and expeditiously brought to justice, and agreed to work together to take concerted
action against globally proscribed terrorist entities and individuals, and closely
work together in the common fight against global terrorism including through combating
the financing of terrorism; monitoring and preventing illicit financial flows, money
laundering and hawala; sharing intelligence and cooperating in investigative and
judicial processes; countering radicalization and violent extremism; preventing
misuse of modern technologies, including misuse of the internet for terrorist and
violent extremist purposes; acting against internationally designated entities and
violent extremist purposes; and acting against internationally designated entities
and individuals.
28. The Prime Ministers
reiterated the urgent need for all countries to take immediate, sustained, verifiable
and irreversible action to ensure that no territory under their control is used
for terrorist attacks, and to expeditiously bring to justice the perpetrators of
such attacks. They expressed their commitment for working together to promote accountability
for the perpetrators of such terrorist attacks, including through designations by
the UN Security Council 1267 Sanctions Committee. They emphasised the need to bring
perpetrators of terrorism to justice.
29. Prime Minister
Albanese commended India’s hosting of the Special Session of the Counter Terrorism
Committee (CTC) of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in Mumbai and Delhi
on 28 and 29 October 2022, during which all Council members collectively paid homage
to the victims of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, wherein 166 nationals, including
2 Australians, had lost their lives. Prime Minister Albanese also acknowledged the
adoption of the "Delhi Declaration on countering the use of new and emerging
technologies for terrorist purposes” at the Special Session of the CTC of the UNSC.
In this regard, he noted with appreciation the UNSC PRST adopted under India’s Presidency
of the UNSC in December 2022, which condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations
and called on all Member States to deny safe havens to terrorists. He also expressed
his appreciation at the holding of the Third Ministerial conference on "No
Money for Terror” (NMFT) in November 2022 in India. They expressed satisfaction
at their respective countries’ engagements in counter-terrorism efforts bilaterally
and agreed to coordinate their efforts in the Quad consultations and multilateral
fora.
30. Recalling the
India-Australia Framework Arrangement on Cyber and Cyber-enabled Critical Technology
Cooperation and Plan of Action signed by Foreign Ministers on 4 June 2020, both
sides appreciated the progress achieved in deepening the bilateral cyber cooperation.
People-to-People
Ties
31. The Prime Ministers
expressed satisfaction at the deep and vibrant people-to-people ties between the
two countries, which is energised by the 976,000 Australians of Indian descent,
and agreed to further strengthen this special bond. The Prime Ministers agreed on
the importance of protecting the safety and security of the Indian community in
Australia, and ensuring continued harmony.
32. The Prime Ministers
noted the significant progress in the ongoing negotiations on a Migration and Mobility
Partnership Arrangement (MMPA) which will strengthen people-to-people ties and reinforce
economic linkages. The Prime Ministers tasked the concerned officials on both sides
to expedite the conclusion of an ambitious and balanced MMPA within the next three
months, which will promote and support the mobility of students, graduates, academic
researchers, business people and other professionals now and into the future, while
also enhancing cooperation on issues pertaining to irregular migration.
33. Noting the
value Australia places on the sizeable Indian student community in Australia, Prime
Minister Albanese conveyed to Prime Minister Modi that his Government
would facilitate the efficient and timely processing of student visa applications
for Indian nationals who are offered admission by Australian universities and other
vocational training institutes. The Prime Ministers directed their concerned officials
to operationalise the Work and Holiday Arrangement agreed between India and Australia
under ECTA, including exploring opportunities in both directions. Prime Minister
Albanese noted Australia is committed to expanding its visa processing capability
in India to enhance the immigration relationship.
34. The Prime Ministers
welcomed the signing of the India-Australia Audiovisual
Co-Production Agreement supporting skilled jobs, creative exchange, and the development
of screen projects of cultural significance in both countries, the renewal of the
MoU on Cooperation in Sports, and the Government of Victoria’s decision to showcase
Kabaddi ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Prime Minster Albanese briefed Prime
Minister Modi about the launch of the Maitri Cultural
Partnerships grants, and the commencement of operations of the Centre for Australia-India
Relations in Australia in 2023.
35. The Prime Ministers
emphasised the need for close collaboration between higher education and skilling
sectors of the two countries and welcomed ongoing efforts to establish collaboration
in education programmes including Technical and Vocational Education and Training
(TVET) in both countries. Noting the importance of education and skill exchange
for both countries as a means of enhancing opportunities for learners to access
higher education, The Prime Ministers welcomed the signing of the Mechanism for
Mutual Recognition of Qualifications and reaffirmed the Australia-India Future Skills
Initiative to strengthen education ties and support Australian education and skill
training in India. They acknowledged the progress made by Australian universities
towards establishing a presence in India to further foster India and Australia’s
educational links.
36. Both Prime
Ministers agreed that India and Australia should continue to promote cooperation
across democratic institutions, including parliament and the judiciary.
Regional and Multilateral
Cooperation
37. The Prime Ministers
renewed their commitment to supporting an open, inclusive, stable and prosperous
Indo-Pacific where sovereignty and territorial integrity are respected. They reiterated
the importance of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
38. The Prime Ministers
underlined the importance of being able to exercise rights and freedoms in all seas
and oceans consistent with international law, particularly the UN Convention on
the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), including freedom of navigation and overflight. They
reiterated the importance of adherence to international law, particularly UNCLOS,
to meet challenges to the maritime rules-based order, including in the South China
Sea. They underscored the importance of disputes being resolved peacefully in accordance
with international law without threat or use of force or any attempt to unilaterally
change the status quo, and that countries should exercise self-restraint in the
conduct of activities that could complicate or escalate disputes affecting peace
and stability. They called for any Code of Conduct in the South China Sea to be
effective, substantive and fully consistent with international law, without prejudice
to the legitimate rights and interests of any state, including those not party to
these negotiations, and support existing inclusive regional architecture.
39. The Prime Ministers
reiterated their commitment to strengthening cooperation through the Quad. They
looked forward to continuing to work together with Quad partners in the Indo-Pacific,
to advance their shared vision for a region that is free, open, inclusive and resilient,
and to deliver on commitments from the 2022 Quad Leaders’ Summit. This includes
practical cooperation in areas such as health security, climate change and energy
transition, sustainable infrastructure and connectivity, debt transparency and sustainability,
space cooperation, cyber security, humanitarian assistance and disaster response
(HADR), maritime security, counter-terrorism, critical and emerging technologies
and education. Prime Minister Albanese looked forward to working closely with India
to advance the Quad’s positive and practical agenda, including welcoming Prime Minister
Modi to Australia for the 2023 Quad Leaders’ Summit.
40. The Prime Ministers
welcomed progress on IPEF, which will seek to strengthen regional economic cooperation
and integration to address new and emerging opportunities and challenges in the
Indo-Pacific, including in supply chains and the clean energy transition. They appreciated
the Quad’s ongoing efforts to implement the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime
Domain Awareness (IPMDA) initiative, which will help enhance maritime domain awareness
and support regional partners to counter challenges such as Illegal, Unreported
and Unregulated (IUU) fishing and to respond to climate and natural disasters.
41. The Prime Ministers
reaffirmed their commitment to ASEAN centrality and the ASEAN-led regional architecture,
including working closely together through the East Asia Summit (EAS). They noted
the close cooperation between India and Australia under the Indo-Pacific Oceans
Initiative (IPOI) aimed at better management of shared maritime domain by enhancing
cooperation in preserving maritime ecology, reducing the impact of marine pollution,
ensuring sustainable use of marine resources and reducing the impact of climate
change. In this regard, they agreed to continue their close cooperation under various
multilateral mechanisms such as ISA, Coalition for Disaster Resilience Infrastructure
(CDRI), EAS and Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).
42. The Prime Ministers
pledged to strengthen cooperation in the Pacific in line with the needs and priorities
of Pacific island countries. They affirmed the centrality
of the Pacific Islands Forum and its 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent
in addressing regional challenges. Prime Minister Albanese recognised India’s role
in extending development partnership to Pacific island
countries through the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) framework.
43. The Prime Ministers
recognised their shared commitment to an Indian Ocean region that was open, stable,
prosperous, and respectful of sovereignty. Prime Minister Albanese noted India’s
long-standing regional role in an increasingly contested maritime domain and reiterated
the importance of Australia’s maritime partnerships in the Northeast Indian Ocean.
The Prime Ministers welcomed cooperation within the India-Australia-France and India-Australia-Indonesia
trilateral groupings.
44. The Prime Ministers
expressed their deep concern at the deteriorating situation in Myanmar and called
for an immediate cessation of violence, the release of all those arbitrarily detained,
access for humanitarian assistance, resolution of issues through dialogue and transition
towards an inclusive federal democratic system in Myanmar. They reaffirmed their
support for ASEAN-led efforts in addressing the crisis in Myanmar and called for
the full implementation of ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus.
45. The Prime Ministers
expressed concern about the conflict and humanitarian situation in Ukraine, reiterating
the need for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a peaceful resolution to
the conflict. They reiterated that the conflict was causing immense human suffering,
exacerbating existing fragilities in the global economic system.
46. The Prime Ministers
condemned North Korea’s continued destabilising ballistic missile launches, which
violate relevant UNSC resolutions (UNSCRs). They urged North Korea to comply with
its obligations under relevant UNSCRs and reaffirmed their commitment to the complete
denuclearisation of North Korea.
47. The Prime Ministers
reiterated support for bilateral nuclear cooperation and commitment to further strengthening
global non-proliferation objectives. Prime Minister Albanese congratulated India
on assuming the chairmanship of the Wassenaar Arrangement and reiterated Australia's
strong support for India's membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group and appreciation
for India’s participation in the Australia Group as its most recent member. Prime
Minister Albanese provided Prime Minister Modi with an update on the development
of the Australia-UK-US (AUKUS) partnership. Prime Minister Albanese also reaffirmed
Australia’s commitment to not develop nuclear weapons and uphold the highest standards
of non-proliferation.
48. Referring to
the recently concluded two-year tenure of India in UNSC during 2021-22, Prime Minister
Albanese congratulated India for its significant contributions to the agenda of
the UNSC, including through themes like Maritime Security, Counter Terrorism, Technology
and Peacekeeping and Strengthening the Multilateral System. In this regard, Prime
Minister Albanese appreciated Prime Minister Modi presiding over a UNSC High-Level
Open Debate on 'Enhancing Maritime Security — A Case for International Cooperation'
under India’s Presidency of the UNSC in August 2021, during which the UNSC unanimously
adopted for the first time a Presidential Statement with a holistic view on maritime
security. The Prime Ministers reiterated their unwavering support for the UN Charter,
including its three pillars, and their steadfast commitment to strengthening the
UN and international system through a comprehensive reform agenda, including through
expansion in permanent and non-permanent seats of the UNSC. In this regard, they
committed to active and constructive engagement in the Inter-Governmental Negotiations
(IGN) on UNSC Reforms to be conducted through a text-based negotiation process with
an overall objective of making the UNSC more effective, representative and credible.
In view of India's long-standing contributions to multilateralism and the UN, Australia
reiterated its support for India's candidacy for permanent membership of a reformed
UNSC. India and Australia also confirmed support for each other’s candidacies for
non-permanent seats on the UNSC – India for the term 2028-2029 and Australia for
the term 2029-2030.
49. The Prime Ministers
reiterated their firm commitment to provide humanitarian assistance to the Afghan
people, in view of the deteriorating humanitarian situation and also reaffirmed
calls on those in positions of power across Afghanistan to adhere to counter terrorism
commitments and human rights, in accordance with UNSCR 2593. They reiterated their
call for protection of rights of women and girls and their full participation in
public life. They agreed that a broad based and inclusive government is necessary
for long term peace and stability in Afghanistan.
50. The Prime Ministers
expressed satisfaction at the progress of bilateral engagements and affirmed their
commitment to further deepen and strengthen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
for mutual benefit as well as for the peace and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific.
Prime Minister Albanese thanked Prime Minister Modi for the warmth and hospitality
extended to him and to the members of his delegation during his State Visit to India
and extended an invitation to Prime Minister Modi to visit Australia.
New Delhi/March
10, 2023