virtual summit / In the summit meeting, PM Modi told the intensity of relations is important, Australia's PM raised the issue of Ukraine crisis

The second virtual summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian PM Scott Morrison was held on Monday. In the meeting, PM Modi expressed happiness over the establishment of the mechanism of summit meeting between the two countries every year. He also called the constant intensity of relationships important. PM Morrison, referring to the Ukraine crisis and loss of life and property, blamed Russia for this.

PM Modi said in the meeting that in our last virtual summit, we had given our relationship the form of a comprehensive strategic partnership. I am happy that today we are setting up a mechanism for the annual summit between the two countries. This mechanism will create a framework for regular review of our relationship. There has been a remarkable development in our relationship in the last few years. We have very close cooperation in trade and investment, defence, security, education, innovation, science and technology etc.

Prime Minister Modi said that I would like to especially thank you for taking the initiative to return ancient Indian artefacts. These include hundreds of years old sculptures and paintings illegally extracted from Rajasthan, West Bengal, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh along with many other Indian states.

Morrison said that although the focus of our talks is the Indo-Pacific region, we are certainly saddened to see the pathetic condition of Europe. Russia should be held responsible for the attacks and casualties on Ukraine.

Concern expressed over the situation in Myanmar

Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said that both sides expressed concern over the situation in Myanmar. At the same time, it was emphasized that the general public there should be protected and humanitarian aid should be provided to them.

Read what Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said-

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison held a virtual summit today. The summit reflects the close ties between India and Australia and the shared vision of the two Prime Ministers to enhance the bilateral partnership.
• Regional and multilateral issues were covered in this summit. Prime Minister Scott Morrison welcomed India's presidency of the G20 in 2023 and reiterated Australia's commitment to working closely with India on global economic issues.
• An important outcome of the virtual summit was the decision to hold an annual summit at the level of heads of government as part of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Australia will be the third country with which India will have its Institutional Annual Summit.
• That's about $15 billion of investment that Australia has made in India and we've invested about $12 billion in Australia. Both investments continue to grow. NIIF is a small area with potential for significant investment in the development of our infrastructure.
• As science and technology cooperation is an important area, the leaders welcomed the expansion of the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund.