Melbourne: Australia-India ties gained significant momentum in 2014 as it saw reciprocal visits by the Prime Ministers in the same year for the first time during which multiple agreements, most importantly a nuclear deal and a landmark framework for security cooperation, were inked.
The impetus the two nations received in their ties during the year was positive after the visit of Narendra Modi, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in 28 years.
Tony Abbott’s two-day visit to India in September was the first bilateral visit by a Prime Minister since Modi took over as the new leader in May. Abbott was the first among the global leaders to congratulate Modi on his victory in polls.
During the trip, he signed historic nuclear safegaurds agreement to allow uranium export to India and discussed mutual co-operations in areas of science and technology, sports, education, water management, skills and LNG.
Australia has about 40 per cent of the world’s uranium reserves and exports nearly 7,000 tonnes of yellow cake annually. India and Australia had commenced negotiations for the sale of uranium in early 2012.
Abbott also hand over Modi the controversial statue of Dancing Shiva, which was stolen and bought by Australian National Gallery of Art.
Two months later, Modi reciprocated by taking a trip Down Under and received a rockstar reception across the four cities – Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane and Sydney.
During his four-city tour in Australia, Modi and his counterpart Abbott agreed on a landmark framework for security cooperation across the spectrum in defence, cyber and maritime security and combating terrorism, including the threats posed by foreign fighters joining extremists groups.
Modi also became the first Indian Prime Minister to address the Parliament where he described Australia “as a major partner in every area of our national priority”.
He said Australia would no longer be at the periphery but at the centre of India’s vision.
“The fact that we have exchanged visits in two months is a sign of better times to come,” said Modi, who also attended G20 summit in Brisbane.
The two nations also agreed to closely work in several areas including trade and investments and stressed on the need to build the ties on massive opportunities in area of agriculture, agro-processing, resources, energy, finance, infrastructure and education.
The two way trade stood at over USD 15 billion and an early conclusion of Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement was announced with next round of negotiations set as December this year.
PTI
