Albanese, whose Labor Party trounced the Conservatives in the general election, said he would meet with Prime Minister Modi, US Vice President Joe Biden, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida one-on-one. “It allows us to send a statement to the world that there has been a change of administration,” Albanese said, adding that policy on climate change and Australia’s interaction with the world on the issues will change. On Monday, Albanese and his cabinet members will be sworn in. Soon after Albanese was declared the winner of the Australian general elections, Prime Minister Modi congratulated him.
“Congratulations on the Australian Labor Party’s victory and your election as Prime Minister, @AlboMP!” He tweeted, “I look forward to working to further deepen our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and to advance common Indo-Pacific interests.”
India and Australia inked major agreements to improve bilateral ties during Albanese’s predecessor Scott Morrison’s tenure. On April 2, India and Australia agreed to an interim free-trade deal that would allow India to sell zero-tariff goods to the Australian market. The Quad Summit, which will take place in Tokyo on May 24, will focus on the Indo-challenges Pacific’s and prospects, as well as the goal of a free, open, and inclusive area.
The meeting is likely to focus on various problems, including post-Covid recovery, health security, climate action, sustainable infrastructure projects, and constructing resilient supply chains, according to Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra.
