Australian PM Scott Morrison expressed understanding of India's position on Ukraine conflict while holding Russia to account for its Ukraine offensive in the virtual summit with PM Modi on Monday, foreign secretary Harsh Shringla said. Even as Modi and Morrison expressed serious concern over the conflict and the humanitarian situation in Ukraine, they agreed the conflict in Europe should not divert the Quad countries’ focus from the Indo-Pacific with the Australian PM underlining the need to ensure what is happening in Ukraine never occurs in the Indo-Pacific.
Modi briefed his counterpart about the situation at LAC and reiterated there cannot be normalisation of ties with China till peace and tranquillity along the border is restored. Morrison also spoke against Chinese activities in South China Sea.
Aus looking to increase its investments in India
Foreign secretary said a significant outcome of the summit was to institutionalise an annual bilateral summit mechanism. India had annual summits only with Russia and Japan till now.
While the two countries signed several agreements including one for co-investment in Australian critical mineral projects, an area where Australia is looking to compete with China. Australia is looking to increase its investments in India by £150 million with the fresh agreements.
While Modi didn’t mention Ukraine in his opening remarks, Morrison brought up Russia’s "unlawful invasion’’, saying the tragic loss of life underlies the importance 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,’’ he said.
Shringla said Morrison expressed understanding for India's position "which he felt definitely reflected our own situation, our own sort of considerations’’. The two leaders also called for cessation of hostilities and there was equal emphasis that "the international order stands on the UN Charter, on the rule of law and respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of states’’.
“Both the leaders also appreciated the increasing strategic convergence between the two countries,’’ said the government in a statement.
