'Reiterated our commitment': PM Modi speaks to Australian PM Morrison ahead of Quad meet

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday spoke with Australian counterpart, Scott Morrison. Calling Morrison a “good friend”, PM Modi said that both leaders reiterated their commitment to consolidate India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. PM Modi and Australian PM ‘discussed regional issues’ that concern both nations. Prime Minister, in a statement shared on Twitter, said that he is ‘looking forward’ to work with Morrison for peace and prosperity in the Indo-pacific.

Prime Minister’s conversation with Scott Morrison came just ahead of third Quad security dialogue on Thursday, announced by the United States. Brainchild of then Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) was launched in 2007 with an aim to convene partners to balance rising China. As per reports, while India and Australia had initially been cautious over antagonizing China, the Quad format, over the years has not only expanded but the relations with Beijing of both nations have deteriorated over a range of issues.

Prior to Morrison, on Wednesday, Prime Minister spoke with Sultan Haitham bin Tarik of Oman. PM Modi said, “We discussed our Strategic Partnership, and our close cooperation during COVID-19. Conveyed my best wishes for one year of HM the Sultan's reign and his ‘Vision 2040’ for Oman.”

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‘India is a critical partner’

Meanwhile, the United States’ Pentagon Press Secretary called India a “critical partner” especially while considering all challenges surrounding the Indo-Pacific region. In a news conference, John Kirby noted the significance of India’s participation after US State Department spokesperson Ned Price announced that Secretary of State Antony Blinken and his counterparts from Japan, Australia and India will interact virtually to elevate cooperation. 

"India is a critical partner, especially when you consider all of the challenges in the Indo-Pacific region," Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby told reporters at a news conference on Wednesday. Price had previously said  that “these discussions with the Quad foreign ministers is critical to advancing our shared goals of a free and open Indo-Pacific and rising to the defining challenges of our times.”

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