India to hold first ever virtual bilateral summit with Australia

On June 4, 2020, PM Modi will hold a virtual bilateral summit with the Australian PM Scott Morrison. This is the first ever virtual bilateral summit to be held by India.

Highlights

The leaders are to discuss a broad framework on the relation of India and Australia. The leaders will also sign several agreements. The major agreement is the one to be signed on mutual sharing of military logistics facilities. The agreement will help increase the bandwidth of operation of both the Australian and Indian forces in the Indo Pacific region.

The leaders will also discuss boosting science and technology, COVID-19 crisis, cybersecurity, maritime issues in the Indo Pacific Region and also about other critical technologies.

The leaders will also share how their respective countries are dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. Australia has held similar summit with Singapore earlier.

India-Australia

India and Australia held their first bilateral naval exercise in 2015. The exercise was called AUSINDEX. Also, the countries hold bilateral army exercises called AUSTRAHIND.

India is to become a non-permanent member at the United Nations Security Council. Australia has backed India becoming a member at the UNSC. Australis also supported the United Nations Resolution to declare Azhar Masood a global terrorist.

Month: Current Affairs - June, 2020