Page 4 - India Australia

India-Australia friendship 10 out of 10, PM Modi inspiring leader: Ex-Oz PM

Former Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull has rated the Australia-India friendship 10 out of 10 and called Prime Minister Narendra Modi an inspiring leader who is "making a huge difference". The bonhomie between the two leaders was visible in the many photos from Turnbull's first visit to India in 2017. He has retired since and is currently touring India with his wife. Turnbull, who is one of the speakers at the ongoing 17th edition of the Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF), recalled his "lovely visit" to India in 2017 and the time spent with PM Modi. "I had a lovely visit here. I have seen him (Modi) in Japan recently at the funeral of our old friend Shinzo Abe... I enjoyed Mr Modi's company enormously. I know he is controversial in his own country naturally. But from the outside, an inspiring leader and clearly making a huge difference," Turnbull told PTI. The 29th Australian prime minister said the two countries have got many things in common -- the love for cricket, rule

Indian community in Australia mourns victims of quadruple beach drowning

The Indian community in Australia is mourning the tragic death of four compatriots, including three women, who drowned at an unpatrolled beach in Phillip Island this week. Jagjeet Singh Anand, a 23-year-old male nurse, Suhani Anand and Kirti Bedi, 20-year-old nursing students, and Reema Sondhi, 43, died in the tragic incident on Wednesday. They were part of a group of about 10 people who were enjoying a day out at Phillip Island, near Melbourne in Victoria. A close relative, who was too devastated to speak at length, said Sondhi was visiting her family in Australia and had arrived there two weeks earlier, The Sydney Morning Herald reported. Sondhi was the daughter-in-law of industrialist Om Sondhi from Phagwara in India's Punjab state. Reema's husband Sanjeev too was part of the group but he survived. Jagjeet Singh Anand, a Melbourne-based nurse, was a permanent resident in Australia while Suhani Anand and Bedi were on student visas. The three younger victims were all residents of

Hundreds evacuated, 38 rescued from floods in Australia after heavy storms

Hundreds of people were ordered to evacuate their homes on Monday after flooding inundated parts of Victoria state, as wild weather continues to batter Australia's southeast. The issue was ordered for badly hit areas in the small towns of Seymour and Yea, about 70 miles north of Melbourne. Authorities told residents and tourists to leave immediately as floodwaters rose to dangerous levels. Multiple flood and thunderstorm warnings were in place across Victoria with the deluge filling streets with water. Authorities rescued 38 people from flooding and almost 1,000 calls were made for help, Victoria State of Emergency Services said. Rainfall in the northeast of Victoria was expected to reach more than 200 millimeters (7.88 inches). Authorities warned that flooding above the floor level of a single-story house was likely, and access to key roads would be difficult. The area is popular with vacationers. If you live in a flood-prone area, please make the necessary plans. Especially peop

A year of Australia-India FTA: Great start but lots to do

ECTA provides the framework for long-term growth in our trade. Ninety-six per cent of Indian goods now enter Australia completely tariff-free. That will rise to 100 per cent by 2026

Indo-Australia trade deal boosts engineering exports despite import surge

One year after the India-Australia Economic and Trade Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) came into effect, engineering exports to Australia reached USD 944 million in April-November 2023-24, a 3 per cent increase. However, imports from Australia also saw a significant 30 per cent upswing during the same period. India's engineering imports from Australia reached USD 355.02 million during April to October 2023-24. Despite the sharp surge in imports, EEPC India chairman Arun K Garodia remains optimistic, pointing to a positive engineering trade balance of USD 471 million between April and October 2023-24. This, he says, underscores the resilience and competitiveness of India's engineering sector. "While imports have increased more than exports in the short term of the new trade deal, we remain optimistic about the long-term benefits for the engineering sector. We expect a surge in exports to Australia, especially with their recent efforts to curb domestic industries and increased reliance on

Land for job scam: Tejashwi allowed to travel to Australia, New Zealand

He is to travel to Australia and New Zealand for an official visit from January 6 to 18, 2024

India 'indispensable' partner for strategic equilibrium: Australian envoy

India is an "indispensable" partner critical for ensuring strategic equilibrium against the backdrop of China's "largest military" build-up without any transparency after the Second World War as well as challenges such as coercive trade measures and political interference, Australian High Commissioner Philip Green said on Wednesday. In an address at the Asia Society Policy Institute, the newly-appointed envoy said India and Australia want to preserve an open, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific and that both sides see the region the same way and know what needs to be done. Delving into various aspects of the India-Australia engagement in the last around five years, he said it was the "fastest rise" in a major power relationship that his country has ever experienced and it is expanding further. In an oblique reference to Washington's allegations of an Indian link to a failed plot to kill a Sikh separatist and Canada's charge of "potential" involvement of Indian agents in the killing o

Australia's new migration policy unlikely to have adverse impact on Indians

Australia is undertaking futuristic reforms to its existing migration system with a greater scrutiny of antecedents of applicants but it will not have an adverse impact on the flow of Indian students and professionals into the country, people familiar with the matter said on Monday. In its new migration strategy, the Australian government outlined a vision with a policy roadmap containing several key "actions" and over 25 new policy commitments and areas for future reform. The people cited above said the new migration strategy will include greater scrutiny of English language proficiency. This migration strategy was unveiled on Monday following extensive consultation with key stakeholders with an aim to fix the existing immigration system. The broad aim of the overall strategy is to cut the annual immigration intake to around 2,50,000 in line with the number maintained during the pre-Covid time. According to reports, over 5,00,000 people came to Australia this year. The people ci

India vs Aus 4th T20I: No electricity in Raipur stadium due to unpaid bills

The Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium in Nava Raipur which hosted the fourth T20 match between India and Australia on Friday evening does not have a regular electricity connection because the state government authorities have not paid the power bills for the last several years. The pending dues have now crossed Rs 3 crore. It does not affect the matches held there, however, as the Chhattisgarh State Cricket Sangh (CSCS) obtains a temporary connection from the Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company Limited (CSPDCL) whenever necessary. Power connection was provided to the stadium in 2010 on the application of the stadium construction committee. By 2018, outstanding bills had reached Rs 3.16 crore, following which the supply was disconnected, said Ashok Khandelwal, superintending engineer (Raipur circle), CSPDCL. "Later, the stadium authority applied for a temporary connection of 200 kVA which was provided keeping in view security concerns as people visit

Indian, Australian High Commission to UK co-host Indo-Pacific conference

The unique collaboration brought together leading experts from Australia, India, and the United Kingdom to address threats to regional security and enhance strategic stability

Trust between partners helping in efforts to secure free Indo-Pacific: EAM

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday said in this complicated world, it is the trust between like-minded partners such as India and Australia that is helping in efforts to secure a free, open, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific region along with a rules-based international order. In his virtual address at the sixth edition of the Australia-India Leadership Dialogue (AILD), Jaishankar said a driving force of the relationship is the convergence in understanding of, and approach to, the geo-strategic environment, particularly in the common Indo-Pacific region. The AILD has quite aptly used the phrase 'Bridges of Bharosa (trust)' as one of its themes, he noted. "In this complicated world, it is the bharosa or trust between like-minded partners such as India and Australia, along with others, that is helping us in our efforts to secure a free, open, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific region along with a rules-based international order," Jaishankar said. His remarks come a

Indian Army contingent departs for Australia for joint military exercise

Joint military exercise, AUSTRAHIND-23, will be conducted from November 22 to December 6, 2023

EAM meets Australian counterpart for Foreign Ministers' Framework Dialogue

The two leaders will hold discussions on advancing the strategic partnership between the two countries

India-Australia ECTA: 77% utilisation by Indian exporters in 9 months

In a free trade agreement (FTA), the utilisation rate is one of the key parameters to assess how a trade agreement is faring or the real gains from the deal

India, Australia to strengthen ties to deal with 'exceptional challenges'

India and Australia on Monday decided to further strengthen their strategic partnership to deal with "exceptional challenges" in the Indo-Pacific region and across the globe, with special focus on defence cooperation. At the second India and Australia 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, the two nations also underscored the importance of further enhancing cooperation in information exchange and maritime domain awareness. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles and Foreign Minister Penny Wong here as part of the ministerial dialogue. In his opening remarks, Jaishankar said the India-Australia bilateral relationship has grown rapidly in the past one year, at a time when there is increasing uncertainty in the world. "We are seeing sharper polarisation, deeper stresses and today, while it is important to ensure that the routine is there for the region to feel safer. So, we have to build and

Rajnath Singh, Australian counterpart hold talks to boost defence ties

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday held talks with his Australian counterpart Richard Marles during which they concurred that a strong bilateral defence partnership will "augur well" not just for the two countries but also for the overall security of the Indo-Pacific, officials said. The two ministers agreed that deepening cooperation in defence industry and research would "give a fillip to the already strong relationship", according to a statement issued by the Indian defence ministry here. Singh suggested that shipbuilding, ship repair and maintenance, and aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) could be the potential areas of collaboration. The leaders reaffirmed the commitment towards further strengthening the defence relations between the two countries, the statement said. Singh congratulated Marles on the maiden and successful conduct of multilateral exercise 'Malabar' by Australia in August this year. Marles is also the Australian Deputy Prime Minister. "Bot

Former Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden buys Mahindra Scorpio-N SUV

Australian World Cup legend Matthew Hayden has purchased the Everest White shade of the SUV, also available in India. Hayden said he liked the metallic finish on this paint, giving it a premium feel

India-Australia 2+2 dialogue: Foreign Minister Penny Wong arrived in Delhi

Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles has already arrived in India for the 2+2 dialogue

India, Australia to focus on ramping strategic cooperation at 2+2 dialogue

India and Australia are expected to focus on ramping up their overall defence ties and boost strategic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific at the second edition of the '2+2' ministerial dialogue here on November 20. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and their Australian counterparts Richard Marles and Penny Wong will hold the talks to further advance cooperation under the India-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Announcing India's hosting of the dialogue, it said on Saturday that the ministers are expected to discuss a wide range of strategic, defence and security issues. The situation in West Asia in view of the Hamas-Israel conflict, China's increasing military muscle flexing in the Indo-Pacific and issues relating to regional security are expected to figure in the talks, people familiar with the preparation for the dialogue said. The MEA said the discussions would cover bilateral, .

India, Australia set to hold '2+2' ministerial dialogue on November 20

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Defence Minister Richard Marles are set to visit India to take part in the two-plus-two ministerial dialogue on Monday that is likely to focus on further shoring up strategic ties between the two countries, people familiar with the matter said. It is learnt that Marles, who is also Australia's deputy prime minister, and Wong may watch the Cricket World Cup final between India and Australia in Ahmedabad on Sunday. There is no official announcement on the '2+2' dialogue or the planned visit to India by Wong and Marles. The people cited above said the two sides are expected to focus extensively on further ramping up the overall defence and security ties and boost strategic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region in the "2+2" ministerial dialogue. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will lead the Indian delegation at the talks. Both Australia and India are part of the Quad or Quadrilateral coalition that i