Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday met Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and held discussions on strengthening the expanding India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. In a post on X, PM Modi highlighted cooperation between the two nations in areas including defence, trade, technology, and supply chain resilience. He also reaffirmed that India and Australia would continue working together to promote a free, open, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.

Penny Wong, who attended the Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting, said the grouping is advancing several new initiatives aimed at addressing regional challenges. She stressed the need for practical outcomes and stronger cooperation as the Indo-Pacific faces increasing strategic and economic pressures, including concerns over energy security linked to developments around the Strait of Hormuz.

Wong welcomed diplomatic efforts to maintain freedom of navigation and opposed any measures that could restrict maritime movement. She also announced the launch of new Quad initiatives, including an energy security programme and the Quad Ports of the Future Partnership, which will begin with a pilot port infrastructure project in Fiji.

The Australian Foreign Minister further stated that the Quad nations would enhance maritime surveillance cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, beginning with efforts in the Indian Ocean and during Exercise Malabar. She added that the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness would now expand into the Indian Ocean region, allowing partners to access near real-time satellite tracking data to tackle illegal fishing, trafficking, and support humanitarian operations.

Wong also highlighted growing cooperation against cybercrime and scam centres in Southeast Asia through improved law enforcement coordination and cybersecurity partnerships. Speaking to the media later, Wong said Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had announced that PM Modi would visit Australia in the near future. She described India and Australia as comprehensive strategic partners bound by strong strategic trust and shared interests in ensuring a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific. She also noted that economic ties between the two countries continue to deepen, with India emerging as a vital economic partner for Australia amid efforts to diversify supply chains and boost economic growth.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from X/@narendramodi.