Australian Prime Minister Scott Morris today expressed "understanding" of India's position on the Russia-Ukraine conflict when he spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 2nd India-Australia Virtual Summit on Monday.
Both leaders also discussed China as they propelled their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership forward and committed to closer cooperation in trade, critical minerals, migration, mobility and education.
"Ukraine and China issues were discussed. On the Ukraine issue, it was clear that the two sides had referred to the Quad Summit in which the leaders had a fairly clear perspective that the situation in Ukraine should not impact on the Indo-Pacific and the focus on the region should continue," Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said after the conclusion of the summit, signalling that from an India perspective that the situation in Ukraine was decoupled from the security demands of the Indo-Pacific region.
New Delhi has made its position on the Ukraine conflict fairly clear over the past few weeks, asking the parties concerned to return to the path of diplomacy and dialogue.
On the other hand, Canberra has maintained that it remains "deeply committed" to impose "high costs" on Russia.
Australia has joined hands with the United States and the United Kingdom to place several sanctions on Russian banks, government entities and the "oligarchs" close to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
PM Narendra Modi inspects the antiquities repatriated from Australia
"He (Morrison) expressed understanding for India's position on the issue of Ukraine which he felt was definitely reflected in our own situation, considerations. There was a serious concern about the ongoing conflict and the humanitarian situation in Ukraine. This is clearly what the two leaders spoke about and also the need for the cessation of the hostilities," said Shringla.
The Australian PM, who addressed the virtual summit from Brisbane, also mentioned Ukraine in his opening remarks.
"Our region is facing increasing change and much pressure, and I think our Quad Leaders’ call recently, which gave us the opportunity to discuss Russia's unlawful invasion of Ukraine, but it also gave us the opportunity to discuss the implications and consequences of that terrible event for our own region in the Indo-Pacific and the coercion and the issues that we face here," he said.
"The tragic loss of life underlies the importance, of course, of holding Russia to account. But cooperation between like-minded liberal democracies is key to an open and inclusive and resilient and prosperous Indo-Pacific, and I welcome your leadership within the Quad to keeping us focused on those important issues," Morrison added.
Greeting PM Modi with a "Kem Cho from Brisbane", he also congratulated him on five election victories in the state elections, "particularly in Goa".
Morrison said that both countries have made great progress in defence, maritime cooperation, science, technology, clean energy and will "redouble" efforts on interim Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement to unlock new opportunities and benefits for both economies in the post-pandemic world.
PM Modi started his remarks by conveying condolences for the loss of life and property caused by floods in Queensland and New South Wales.
He mentioned that there is good cooperation between both the countries in Quad and their cooperation reflects the commitment to a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific as Quad's success is very important for regional and global stability.
"I would like to especially thank you for taking the initiative to return ancient Indian artefacts. And the artifacts that you have sent include hundreds of years old idols and paintings illegally smuggled from Rajasthan, West Bengal, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh as well as many other Indian states," said the Indian Prime Minister.
प्रधानमंत्री श्री @narendramodi जी के नेतृत्व और अथक प्रयासों से देश की ऐतिहासिक धरोहरों को वापस लाने और सांस्कृतिक विरासत को सहेजने का काम तीव्र गति से चल रहा है।
इसी कड़ी में ऑस्ट्रेलिया ने 29 बहुमूल्य पुरावशेषों को भारत को वापस किया है। भारत के लिए यह एक गौरवशाली क्षण है। pic.twitter.com/35ao4sWMOL
— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) March 21, 2022
PM Modi also welcomed the announcement of the establishment of a Centre of Excellence for Critical and Emerging Technologies in Bangalore, emphasising that it is essential that both countries have better cooperation in the areas of cyber and critical and emerging technologies.
Both leaders, being avid cricket fans, also discussed the ongoing Women's Cricket World Cup.
"Australia's women's cricket team has performed very well in the Cricket World Cup. My congratulations to you for that. Australia won the match on Saturday, but there are still more matches to be played. My very best wishes to the teams of both countries," said PM Modi.
Also Read: Australia likely to slam Russia on Ukraine during Modi-Morrison summit on Monday
