SYDNEY/MELBOURNE, 26 May 2023: The visit of India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Australia from May 22-24, 2023, after the cancellation of the Quad leaders summit in Sydney, saw bilateral discussions between him and Australian PM Antony Albanese. Agreements were signed between the two countries and some announcements made apart from the Indian Diaspora reception for PM Modi and other engagements. The strategic partnership and relations between the two countries have been improving and consolidating over the years. This was the two PM’s sixth meeting this year and other ministers including the Foreign Ministers have visited each other’s countries.
The Australia-India Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (interim free trade agreement) is on but a final agreement is still on the table. India’s compulsions to protect its agriculture market is tied to internal political compulsions. And, this is where Australia is interested. Solving this chink won’t be easy. Hard bargaining lies ahead.
Australia moving close to India is not isolated from it’s ambition to contain China in the Indo-Pacific. It’s the basic of Australian foreign policy as an ally of the United States. The differences over Ukraine war, dependence on Russian arms and India importing discounted Russian oil seem to have convinced the US-led alliance that India will pursue it’s foreign policy balancing between the US-led Western alliance and strengthening China-Russia. The origins of this approach go to the past during the cold war when India was non-aligned and close to the former Soviet Union.
The Indian Diaspora and the rising number of Indian international students have been hyped for long. India’s rich and upper middle class see Australia as another choice along with the US, Canada and UK etc. as possible greener pastures. The brain drain is real and one needs to understand that professionals leaving India are a big gain for the West including Australia, while the Indian people long for a better return from them. Indian migration is the strongest ever into Australia. The world and Indo-Pacific geo-political situation suits Australia’s over-reach to India, and so does India’s big market. It remains to be seen how much India will open up, whoever rules it.
PM Modi’s Australia visit has been supported and critiqued on many points. Australia’s decision to be silent on India’s ‘internal matters’ and the Diaspora jamboree are being debated on social media and making headlines. The Australian PM has talked about universal ‘shared values’ between the two democracies.
The bilateral talks between Indian and Australian PM’s and among other Ministers and officials, have “deepened the friendship between our two nations”, said PM Albanese. “In the language of cricket, our ties have entered the T20 mode,” PM Modi said. Some important takeaways that emerged were:
– A commitment to an open, prosperous and secure Indo-Pacific;
– An early conclusion of the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (Free trade agreement);
– Australia-India Migration and Mobility Partnership Arrangement;
-Terms of Reference for the Australia-India Green Hydrogen Taskforce have been agreed.
-New Centre for Australia-India Relations in Parramatta;
-New Australian Consulate-General in Bengaluru;
-The foundation stone of a “Little India” gateway for Harris Park laid;
-Perth’s Swan River named in recognition of Private Nain Singh Sailani;
-India announced a new Consulate in Brisbane;
-PM Modi held a meeting with business leaders in Sydney;
-PM Albanese assured PM Modi of strict action against those vandalising religious places;
-PM Antony Albanese attended the Diaspora reception for PM Modi in Sydney.
