India-Australia virtual summit | Russia must be held accountable for loss of lives in Ukraine: Australian PM

PM Modi said he was happy over the establishment of a mechanism of the annual summit between India and Australia as it ensures a structural system for regular review of the ties

Russia needs to be held accountable for the tragic loss of lives in Ukraine in the ongoing war, and it must be ensured that such terrible events never occur in the Indo-Pacific region, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on March 21 at a virtual summit with PM Narendra Modi.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Morrison also referred to a recent meeting of the leaders of the Quad grouping on the Ukraine crisis and said it provided an opportunity to discuss the “implications and consequences” of the developments in Europe for the Indo-Pacific.

Delving into key aspects of India-Australia ties, Mr. Modi said the conclusion of the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) will be important for economic revival and economic security for both sides.

“We have good cooperation going on in Quad as well. This collaboration of ours reflects our commitment to free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific. The success of the Quad is critical to regional and global stability,” he said.

Mr. Modi said the ties witnessed remarkable progress in the last few years and that there has been close cooperation between the two sides in trade and investment, defence and security, education and innovation, and science and technology.

“Our collaboration has grown rapidly in many other areas such as critical minerals, water management, renewable energy, and COVID-19 research,” he added.

Mr. Modi said he was happy over the establishment of a mechanism of the annual summit between the two countries as it ensures a structural system for regular review of the ties.