India-Australia Summit – UPSC GS2

Strengthening Cultural Ties: Australia recognises the depth and diversity of India’s magnificent culture. Australia returned 29 ancient Indian artefacts consisting of sculptures and paintings executed in a variety of materials.

Energy: India-Australia is working on a new and renewable energy partnership, to support the development of technologies such as green hydrogen and ultra-low-cost solar.

Technology and Research: The virtual summit will boost collaboration on innovation, science and entrepreneurship, to scale up ideas that address global challenges. An Australia-India Centre of Excellence for Critical and Emerging Technology Policy will be established in Bengaluru.

Strengthening QUAD: Quad has become an important multilateral forum to strengthen cooperation on issues of mutual interests. There is also a good collaboration going on between the two countries in Quad.

Minerals & Investments An MoU was signed on cooperation in the critical mining sector that would establish a framework for building partnerships in critical investment. This would enable India to get both investment and expertise in this area.

Boosting Bilateral Dialogue: The cooperation between the two countries has also been carried forward at the ministerial level, with the 2+2 Foreign and Defense Ministerial Dialogue.

Skill Development: Australia will be investing in India’s talented young people through the new Future Skills Initiative between education and training providers and industry.

Education: Australian government’s significant new Maitri scholarships and fellowships will give Indian students and researchers the chance to experience Australia’s world-class education system.

Stable Indo-Pacific: Australia and India are also working to ensure a peaceful and stable Indo-Pacific region. They are advancing cooperation all the way from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific Islands.

Defense: Both sides announced the setting up of the general Vipin Rawat Young Defense Officers’ Exchange Program which would enable younger officers from both sides to familiarize themselves with each other’s countries and will greatly increase the service to service contacts.

Changing dynamic of Indo-Pacific amidst Ukraine Crisis: India and Australia have concerns with increasing changes in the Indo-Pacific region in the wake of Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.

Conflict over stand on Russia: Australia blamed Russia and held her accountable for the tragic loss of lives in Ukraine following its “terrible” invasion of that country. However, India has not taken any solid stand against Russia.

Increasing Chinese Aggression: China’s aggressive posture in the region in the Indo-Pacific is another cause of concern. The two countries share concerns about the implications of the rise of China and the stability of the region.