Look forward to reinforcing bilateral ties during India visit: Australian PM

New Delhi, Mar 5 (Agency) Ahead of his State visit to India next week, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Saturday that this will be his first visit to India as prime minister and he looks forward to reinforcing the strong bond between the two nations. PM Albanese will travel to India from March 8 –11 at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Australian Prime Minister first travels to Ahmedabad and to Mumbai and then to New Delhi. In a statement, PM Albanese said: “This will be my first visit to India as Prime Minister and I look forward to reinforcing the strong bond between our two countries.” “Our relationship with India is strong but it can be stronger. It is underpinned by our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which underscores a joint commitment to working together to enhance our defence, economic, and technological interests.”

“A stronger India-Australia partnership is good for the stability of our region. It also means more opportunities and more trade and investment, strengthening our economies and directly benefiting our people.” “As we look to the future, India will continue to be an important partner and close friend to Australia. “I look forward to hosting Prime Minister Modi in Australia mid-year for the Quad Leaders’ Summit and to visiting India again in September for the G20 Leaders’ Summit,” he said. The visit will further deepen our strategic, economic and people to people ties with India, a close friend and partner to Australia, a statement from the Australian Prime Minister’s office said. Prime Minister Albanese will join Prime Minister Modi for the Australia-India Annual Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi on March 10.

The Prime Ministers will discuss trade and investment, renewable energy, technology, defence and security cooperation. The visit will also highlight our strong educational and cultural ties. PM Albanese will be accompanied by Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell and Resources Minister Madeleine King. Minister Farrell and Minister King will also lead a delegation of senior Australian business leaders on this visit. The business delegation will participate in the Australia-India CEO Forum in Mumbai on March 9, discussing trade and investment opportunities opened up by the recent Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement and future areas of business to business collaboration with their Indian counterparts. Prime Minister Albanese will join Prime Minister Modi at the Fourth Test Match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Ahmedabad on March 8.

A shared passion for cricket is a hallmark of our long-standing friendship, a relationship that has been enriched by generations of Indian Australians. This will be the first visit by an Australian Prime Minister to India since 2017. In Delhi on March 10, Prime Minister Albanese will be accorded a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhawan. Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Albanese will hold the Annual Summit to discuss areas of cooperation under the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, besides regional and global issues of mutual interest. Prime Minister Albanese will also call on President Droupadi Murmu.