Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi defies Scott Morrison on Russia request

Scott Morrison has urged Narendra Modi to take a firmer stand on Russia over Ukraine.

Scott Morrison holds a VTC meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday. Picture: Adam Taylor

Scott Morrison urged his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on Monday to take a firmer stand on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, but the Indian Prime Minister declined to condemn the actions of his country’s close strategic partner.

Mr Morrison opened a virtual meeting between the pair by recognising “Russia’s unlawful invasion” of Ukraine, and declaring the world must take a stand against Moscow for its brutal war against its sovereign neighbour.

“Our meeting today is of course set against the very distressing backdrop of the war in Europe, which must never happen in our own region,” he said.

“The tragic loss of life underlines the importance … of holding Russia to account.”

But Mr Modi made no reference to the conflict in his opening remarks, and the final joint statement – which was not immediately available after the meeting – was not expected to call out Russia as the aggressor.

Both leaders recognised the strength of the Australia-India relationship, and the importance of a so-far elusive interim free-trade agreement between them.

The Morrison government had hoped to seal the phase one trade agreement with India by Christmas, but Australian High Commissioner to India Barry O’Farrell told Indian media the “early harvest” deal was now likely to be signed later this month.

The leaders on Monday also reiterated their commitment to the “Quad” strategic partnership with the US and Japan to maintain Indo-Pacific security, which is aimed at countering China’s growing assertiveness and rapid militarisation.

“The success of Quad is essential for regional and global security,” Mr Modi said through a translator, after Mr Morrison praised him for his “leadership” within the bloc.

Mr Modi also thanked Mr Morrison for the return of 29 ancient artworks returned to India by the National Gallery of Australia, saying they had been “illegally” taken from his country.

“You have given back these artefacts to us and now we can return them to the places where they belong,” he said.

“On behalf of all Indian citizens I express my gratitude to you for this initiative.”

The leaders agreed to participate in annual talks to review the nations’ “comprehensive strategic partnership”, struck in 2020.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his meeting with Scott Morrison on Monday. Picture: Adam Taylor

Going into the meeting, Mr Morrison had announced $188m worth of new investments in the Australia-India relationship, part of a wider $280m commitment.

They included a $35m pledge to develop “green steel”, energy and critical minerals partnerships; an $18m trade, skills and innovation package; a $25m space agency collaboration; and a $28m Centre for Australia-India Relations to deepen cultural ties.

A further $17m will be rolled out to extend the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund, and $20.1m for scholarships and cultural partnerships.

The package also includes a commitment to enhance maritime co-operation, including the deployment of an Indian P-8A maritime patrol aircraft to Australia, and $10m to strengthen co-operation on regional shipping and disaster resilience.

Mr Modi has been reluctant to take a stand against Russia and has repeatedly refused to back UN Security Council resolutions condemning Moscow’s aggression towards Ukraine.

Despite its growing ties with the US, Japan and Australia under the Quad, India maintains a “special and privileged strategic partnership” with Russia and imports nearly 70 per cent of its military hardware from the country.

Earlier this month, in a four-way Quad leaders’ call, Mr Morrison, US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida also failed to win over the Indian premier on the need to condemn and isolate Russia.

A joint Quad statement at the time said the leaders “discussed the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and assessed its broader implications”, without recording any condemnation of Moscow.

Mr Modi also failed to condemn Russia during a meeting with Mr Kishida this month, with the final statement after their talks calling only “for an immediate cessation of violence”.