Australia announces major investment in close ally

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced some $188m worth of investment in a close ally as Australia seeks to deepen regional ties.

Scott Morrison has announced some $188m worth of investment in India following a virtual summit with Narendra Modi.

The two prime ministers committed to closer bilateral ties in trade, critical minerals, migration and compatibility and education at an online meeting on Monday evening.

The package, which includes investment into sectors such as clean technology and security, has been described as the largest ever investment in India by an Australian government.

It includes the establishment of a new Consulate-General in Bengaluru and a new High Commission in Maldives.

The package will cover defence, shipping and space co-operation and the sharing of renewable energy and mining technologies, including the creation of a Centre of Excellence for Critical and Emerging Technology Policy.

A Centre for Australia-India Relations will be set up to deepen community ties, promote public discussions and policy dialogue, and engage the Indian diaspora in Australia.

A broadcasting agreement involving SBS and India’s public broadcaster and an Australian commitment to return Indian artefacts from the National Gallery in Canberra are both included in the package.

The two nations will work on a mobility agreement to make it easier for Australians and Indians to travel between the countries, while agreeing to co-operate further on “irregular migration”.

Scott Morrison and Narendra Modi will meet on Monday evening. Picture: Adam Taylor

The meeting is the second virtual summit between the two leaders who in 2020 agreed to elevate the relationship between Australia and India to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

The pair also discussed the situation in Ukraine.

Unlike other Quad nation partners – the US, Japan and Australia, India has not condemned Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.

Instead, Mr Modi has called for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the conflict.

On Sunday he met with Japan’s Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida, who urged him to take a tougher stance on Russia’s actions.

But in a briefing to Indian media, Australian High Commissioner Barry O’Farrell said the Quad nations had accepted Mr Modi’s stance.

“The Quad countries have accepted India’s position. We understand that each country has bilateral relationships,” he said.

“It is clear from the comments of the (ministry of external affairs and Prime Minister Narendra Modi) that he has used his contacts to call for the end of the conflict and no country will be unhappy with that.”

Originally published as Australia announces major investment in close ally