India-Australia bilateral relations back in spotlight

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s three-day Australian visit highlighted the increasing bipartisanship, notably since Labour Party’s Anthony Albanese took office a year ago. Initially scheduled for a Quad meeting, the visit became primarily bilateral following the U.S. President’s withdrawal and Japan’s preference for a shorter Quad Summit in Hiroshima. Modi’s address to the Indian diaspora and business groups in Sydney received considerable attention, with Albanese in attendance. Their sixth meeting within a year saw significant announcements, including new Australian and Indian consulates in Bengaluru and Brisbane respectively. They agreed on Migration and Mobility and finalized a Green Hydrogen Task Force. Defence and security ties, renewable energy, critical minerals, and a commitment to a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement by year’s end dominated their talks. Despite differing views on Russia’s Ukraine invasion and Western sanctions, they concurred on the need for a free and open Indo-Pacific and managing China’s assertiveness. Modi’s interaction with the Indian diaspora was a key feature of the visit. The leaders acknowledged the large turnout at Sydney’s SuperDome, with Modi attributing the strength of bilateral relations to the Indian diaspora in Australia. However, he also addressed issues related to conflicts among Indian-origin groups and reiterated concerns about anti-India, anti-Modi vandalism raised during Albanese’s India visit. While attacks on Indian consulates warrant bilateral concern, New Delhi must determine the attention it gives to Australian citizens’ attacks on their counterparts and property. The growing incidents are alarming, but their high-profile during state visits may not necessarily fortify mutual understanding or promote the three D’s – Democracy, Diaspora, and Dosti (Friendship) – that Modi highlights as binding the nations. How these development turn out in the future in terms of strengthening the bilateral relations is yet to be seen but the recent event can be a step forward.

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