India-Australia officially "press the button" to start new relationship

On November 19, India and Australia launched the Renewable Energy Partnership (REP) initiative.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (far right) and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese (far left) during their second bilateral meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on November 19. (Source: PTI)

According to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the initiative, aimed at promoting two-way investment in renewable energy sectors, was announced after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese met on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on November 19.

At the meeting, the two Prime Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to promoting the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries in many areas, including defense, security, trade, investment, education, skills, sports, space and people-to-people exchanges, ANI news agency reported.

After the meeting, Prime Minister Modi posted on social media X: "The talks were extremely productive and our focus will remain on future areas that drive global growth and sustainability."

For his part, Prime Minister Albanese stated: "Australia is delighted to officially launch the renewable energy partnership, which will help promote two-way investment in areas such as solar energy, green hydrogen and developing the renewable energy workforce."

According to a Joint Statement issued after the meeting, India and Australia will strengthen cooperation on climate action and implement solutions to promote renewable energy.

The main content of the initiative includes a framework for practical cooperation in priority areas such as solar power, green hydrogen, energy storage, investment in renewable energy projects and skills training for the future renewable energy workforce.

The two countries also highlighted progress in defense and security cooperation, with plans to renew the Joint Declaration by 2025. At the same time, the two sides welcomed initiatives for maritime cooperation and defense information sharing, aiming to build a peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.

On regional cooperation, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to supporting a free and stable Indo-Pacific where freedoms of the seas are protected and respected in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

India and Australia are two of the four members, along with Japan and the United States, of the Quad grouping, which has strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific region. Both Modi and Albanese "reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation through the Quad as a force for global good, bringing real, positive and lasting impact to the Indo-Pacific."

India-Australia relations have been continuously strengthened and developed strongly in recent years. Canberra has become an increasingly important partner in New Delhi's foreign policy, with increasingly deep cooperation in many strategic areas.

The relationship between the two countries is expanding in many areas and both sides are committed to building a future of closer cooperation, not only within the bilateral framework but also in regional and global forums.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/an-do-australia-chinh-thuc-an-nut-khoi-dong-moi-quan-he-moi-294388.html