On Friday, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi vowed greater defense ties after a diplomatic tour where both leaders related their nations’ shared love of cricket. Australia and India, with Japan and the United States, make up the Quad alliance that is seen as a bulwark against China’s assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region.
Albanese’s four-day visit contained a Thursday reception aboard the INS Vikrant, India’s first homemade aircraft carrier, where he revealed new joint military drills.
Security cooperation is an important pillar in the comprehensive strategic partnership between India and Australia.”
Modi said Friday at a joint press briefing after a private meeting.
Albanese said “significant” and “ambitious” progress had been made in defense ties with India.
We discussed the increasingly uncertain global security environment and committed to strengthening the Australia-India defense and security partnership.”
Albanese said.
Friday’s meeting came a day after the leaders watched the opening morning of the fourth Test cricket match together in Modi’s home state of Gujarat. Both men performed a lap of honor aboard a cricket-themed golf cart at the start of the match, where Australia is fighting to avoid a series loss and India must win to secure a World Test Championship berth.
We are competing on the cricket field to be the world’s best, but together we are building a better world.”
Albanese told reporters.
Albanese flies out of New Delhi on Saturday morning and will host Modi in Australia for the next Quad leaders meeting in May.
