Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will sign multiple agreements with his Indian counterpart across three subject areas, including defence, but has refused to be drawn on the Asian nation’s military ties with Russia amid the invasion of Ukraine.
Speaking in New Delhi on the second full day of his trip to India, Albanese said he expects to sign agreements which will deal with national security, economy and cultural ties with Narendra Modi today, saying they are the “three themes” of his diplomatic visit.
However, when asked about India’s defence relationship with Russia, Albanese took a leaf from the book of some of the Australian cricketers he watched yesterday and played a straight bat.
“India is a sovereign nation, and they deepen their relationships with other nations as they see fit,” Albanese said.
“What’s important is how we deal as a sovereign nation with friends in our neighbourhood. And India is a friend of Australia.
“We have an increasingly important relationship… India is an important democracy.
“India stands up for democracy. And I think that the relationship is a very positive one.”
Albanese on Thursday visited the first Indian-built aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, which is based on a Russian design and had three Russian fighters on board.
But rather than be drawn on the ties between Russia and India, Albanese instead focused on Australia’s defence links with the world’s second most-populous nation.
“We have an increasingly important relationship which goes to our economic ties, our cultural ties, but also our ties through exercises like the Malabar exercises that will take place later this year,” he said.
Read Related Also: Russian forces flee Bakhmut 'in bad order' as Putin's forces suffer in Ukraine
“We also have, as part of the announcements as well, we’ve had the participation of Australian defence personnel here in India, and exchange the other way around as well.”
Millions celebrate Hindu festival with incredible displays of dye
During his visit to the Vikrant on Thursday, Albanese announced Australia will for the first time host the Malabar naval exercises this year, which includes personnel from India and the other two Quad members, the US and Japan.
He also said India will take part in this year’s Talisman Sabre military exercises, which are held biannually.
Among the agreements not related to defence, Albanese flagged increasing renewable energy ties between Australia and India.
“In economic areas, we’ll also have agreements including in clean energy, we think in particular in solar, there’s enormous opportunities,” he said.
“I spoke to one of the major Indian companies here yesterday who are looking at billions of dollars of investment in Australia, including the manufacturing of solar panels.
“Something we’ve been talking about, something we want to promote through the national reconstruction fund: I want a future made in Australia.”
Sign up here to receive our daily newsletters and breaking news alerts, sent straight to your inbox.
