2013 Witnessed An All Round Development In Australia-India Ties

24 Dec 2013

In 2013, the ties between Australia and India witnessed all round development. Both the sides came forward on an early closure of a uranium supplies deal and new profitable partnerships emerging in defense and trade to revitalize their strategic ties.

Australia has elected a Prime Minister, Tony Abbott. However, even with the new government, relations with India remained a priority for Australia. This is a sign that the bond between both the countries will deepen regardless of the party in power.

In India-Australia bilateral ties, there have been several significant developments, including Abbott's first meeting with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in October on the sidelines of Brunei’s East Asia Summit.

Singh discussed a wide range of issues during the meeting, and preferred an early closure of uranium sale to India and nuclear cooperation deal. Abbott assured Singh that he wants to bring closure to this deal at an early date.

Abbott and Singh also discussed issues like India and Australia student exchange programs, security, defense and joint naval exercise.

Salman Khurshid, Minister of External Affairs attended a conference of the Indian Ocean Region while he visited Canberra.

Khurshid, during his visit said that India has an unproblematic relationship with Australia and pointed out that Canberra was attracting many Indian students which will further bind the ties between both countries for generations.

He said that Australia and India can also play a prominent role together in the Indian Ocean, and underlined the significance of effective diplomatic and maritime collaboration in the sea which lies between both countries.

In June, A K Antony, Defense Minister of India made a historic visit to Australia, becoming the first ever Indian defense minister to tour Oz.

On his visit, Antony met his counterpart Stephen Smith and to work towards a bilateral maritime exercise in 2015 and build confidence and familiarity between their Navies, both Antony and Smith agreed to continue ongoing bilateral Naval exchanges.

As they confirmed that freedom of navigation and maritime security is crucial for the prosperity and growth of Asia Pacific and Indian Ocean regions, the two sides also determined to reinforce defense ties.