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Context

• Prime Minister Modi used a cricket analogy to describe the fast-expanding India-Australia ties, saying the relations have entered the “T-20 mode”.
• He was speaking after meeting with his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese, in which they discussed a host of issues, including the vandalism of Indian temples.

Highlights of the visit

• Prime Minister was accorded a Ceremonial Welcome and Guard of Honour on arrival at Admiralty House. 
• PM Albanese said that PM Modi’s visit to Australia has “strengthened the close and strong relationship that Australia enjoys with India.”
• While his visit was originally planned for a multilateral event, the meeting of the Quad, it transformed into a purely bilateral visit after the U.S. President pulled out over domestic political constraints; Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida followed suit, and a shortened Quad Summit was held in Hiroshima.
• Activities of other groups and conflicts also tracing back to people of Indian origin were discussed as PM Modi repeated his concerns over vandalism and attacks defacing community centres and temples with pro-Khalistani, anti-India and anti-Modi graffiti.
• “Three D’s” PM Modi said bind the two countries today — Democracy, Diaspora and Dosti [Friendship].
• The two leaders attended a mega community event at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney Olympic Park.
  • PM Narendra Modi announced that India will open a new consulate in Brisbane soon.
  • Both leaders exulted in the mammoth crowd at Sydney’s SuperDome, PM Modi said that the “real reason, the real power” behind the bilateral relations came from people of Indian-origin in Australia.

Talks between the two leaders

• Both leaders recalled their productive 1st Annual Leaders’ Summit held in March 2023 in New Delhi and reaffirmed their commitment to further broadening and deepening of the multifaceted India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. 
• The discussions focused on cooperation in defense and security, trade and investment, new and renewable energy, green hydrogen, critical minerals, education, migration and mobility and people to people ties.
• Both leaders welcomed the signing of the India-Australia Migration and Mobility Partnership Arrangement (MMPA), which will further facilitate mobility of students, professionals, researchers, academics and others, including through a new skilled pathway named MATES (Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early Professionals Scheme) specifically created for India. 
• They also welcomed the finalization of Terms of Reference of the India-Australia Hydrogen Task Force, which will advise on opportunities to accelerate manufacture and deployment of clean hydrogen.
• The two leaders reiterated their determination to ensure a peaceful, prosperous and inclusive Indo-Pacific region, underpinned by a rules-based international order.
• They also discussed reform of UN Security Council.

MUST READ ARTICLES:

https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/india-australia-relations-1

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1926789

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