AMN
During the third Australia-India Annual Leaders’ Summit in Melbourne, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart, Anthony Albanese, solidified their strategic partnership through landmark agreements focused on defense, maritime security, and long-term energy cooperation. The summit, marked by high-level delegation talks, resulted in a new Joint Declaration on Defence and Security Cooperation aimed at maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, alongside a Maritime Security Collaboration Roadmap to foster an inclusive, free, and open maritime environment. Furthermore, both nations reached a final administrative arrangement to facilitate the long-term supply of Australian uranium to India.
Both sides finalized the administrative arrangement for the long-term supply of Australian uranium to India. The agreements were signed following delegation-level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart, Anthony Albanese during the third Australia-India Annual Leaders’ Summit in Melbourne.
In a joint press statement after the talks, Prime Minister Modi said that the Indo-Pacific is not just a meeting point of two oceans but showcases the shared aspirations of like-minded democracies like India and Australia.
Later briefing the media, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said the discussions between Prime Minister Modi and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese reflected the growing strategic partnership and close understanding between the two leaders.
On the economic front, following a high-powered India-Australia CEOs Forum, both leaders fast-tracked negotiations for the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) to fully build upon the 55 percent surge in two-way trade delivered by the 2022 ECTA pact. Emerging horizons also took center stage, with the operationalization of the Australia-India Partnership for Cyber Critical Technologies and Supply Chains (AI PACTS) and extended Australian support for India’s historic Gaganyaan human spaceflight program.
Addressing evolving regional dynamics, the two maritime powers adopted a historic Joint Declaration on Defense and Security Cooperation alongside a unified Maritime Security Collaboration Roadmap to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific. The leaders strongly reaffirmed their shared commitment to the Quad as a vital mechanism for counterterrorism and disaster relief, while Prime Minister Modi expressed India’s firm stance on sustained peace in West Asia.
PM Modi says Gen Z is embracing spirituality through ‘Bhajan Clubbing’ trend
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday pointed to the growing popularity of ‘Bhajan Clubbing’ among India’s Gen Z, saying the trend reflected the younger generation’s connection with faith and culture.
Addressing the Indian community at the ‘Melbourne Meets Modi’ event, PM Modi said he had also heard that the Indian diaspora in Australia remains closely connected to its roots through religious, cultural and community activities.
“You must have heard about the new trend of ‘Bhajan Clubbing’ in India; it is being driven by our Gen Z. Here in Australia too, I hear that your weekends are filled with faith and spirituality. Whether it is the Lord Satyanarayan Katha at someone’s home, Ardas at the Gurudwara, children performing Bhangra or Bharatanatyam, or a cricket tournament in progress—there is always something happening,” he said.
Referring to the upcoming Indian Film Festival in Melbourne, the Prime Minister extended his best wishes for its successful organisation.
Prime Minister Modi also said India is working towards becoming a developed nation and described the country’s growth story as being driven by the aspirations of its 1.4 billion people.