DEFENCE
INDO-AUSTRALIA BILATERAL RELATION WITNESSES FRESH DIMENSION OF DEVELOPMENT
A
mong other major development, the latest visit of former Australian Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, to India during the first week of August 2021 in a fresh mode of appearance, as a Special Envoy on Trade of his successor, Scott Morrison, highlights significance of the country to step up the ties with a fresh modus operandi. The main objective of Abbott’s stay from August 2, 2021 to August 6, 2021 in India was to push New Delhi on the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) stalled since he stepped down from office in 2015 without satisfying his goal of formalizing a pact with India. Since then, various changes have been observed, particularly in the mode of the India-Australia bilateral engagement, improving ties to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership that includes areas outside the narrow interpretation of things military. India now waits scheduling the first 2+2 meeting between the foreign and defense ministers, which would comply with complete a similar arrangement with the other two members of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, Japan and the United States. Apart from the democratic values, both sides share a vision on the Indo-Pacific, the emerging geopolitical construct with a liberal shade of economic partnerships built into the structure. With lesser engagement
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DAWN
for over decades, the bilateral relations between India and Australia has jumped into a transformational course during the last 15-odd years, acquiring more significant momentum over the past few years. The extent of ties now gets wider to gain depth in agriculture, critical minerals, energy education and science & technology. Economic cooperation and trade and investments stay behind areas of specific focus. The actual theme during Abbott's visit can be determined from the discussions the former prime minister held with ministers of commerce, coal and mines, energy, power, NITI Aayog and finance, signing off with a call on Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. The mode of discussions focused on the way both nations can further strengthen bilateral trade, investment and economic
September 2021
The extent of ties now gets wider to gain depth in agriculture, critical minerals, energy education and science & technology. Economic cooperation and trade and investments stay behind areas of specific focus
