India-Australia Virtual Summit

During the 2nd India-Australia Virtual Summit, both leaders reviewed the multi-faceted relationship between the two countries and exchanged views on regional and global developments.

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India-Australia Virtual Summit- Relevance for UPSC Exam

GS Paper 2: International Relations– Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

India-Australia Virtual Summit in news

Prime Minister of India and Prime Minister of Australia held the 2nd India-Australia Virtual Summit.
During the 2nd India-Australia Virtual Summit, they reviewed the multi-faceted relationship between the two countries and exchanged views on regional and global developments.

2^nd India-Australia Virtual Summit

India expressed its condolences on the destruction caused by severe flooding in New South Wales and Queensland and the resultant loss of lives.
Return of Ancient Artefacts to India: Indian PM thanked Australia for the special gesture in returning 29 ancient artefacts to India. The artefacts include-
- 12th century Chola bronzes,
- 11th-12th century Jain sculptures from Rajasthan,
- 12th-13th century sandstone Goddess Mahisasuramardini from Gujarat,
- 18th-19th century paintings and
- Early gelatin silver photographs.
On Comprehensive Strategic Partnership: Both the leaders expressed satisfaction at the progress made under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established during the 1st Virtual Summit in June 2020.
Diverse Areas of Cooperation: Indian Prime Minister also expressed his satisfaction at the enhanced scope of the relationship which now covers diverse areas such as-
- Trade and investments,
- Defence and security,
- Education and innovation,
- Science and technology,
- Critical minerals,
- Water management,
- New and renewable energy technology,
- Covid-19 related research, etc.
On Indo-Pacific: Increasing strategic convergence between the two countries as fellow democracies with shared values and common interests, which include a free, open, inclusive, and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
Future Commitments: Joint statement of the Second India-Australia Virtual Summit included-
- Commitments of Deepening Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
- Establishing annual summits between the Prime Ministers under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

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Key Facts about India-Australia Virtual Summit

About: the first India-Australia Virtual Summit was held in June 2020 in the backdrop of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Aim: India-Australia Virtual Summit aims to deepen and expand the horizon of India-Australia Relations.
Key Outcomes:
- At the first India-Australia Virtual Summit, both countries had elevated their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership.
  - India has signed CSPs with the United Kingdom, Indonesia, Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) so far.
  - On the other hand, Australia has CSPs with China, Indonesia and Singapore.
- During the first India-Australia Virtual Summit, multiple MoUs were signed in various fields, including mining, cyber technology, public administration, defence cooperation and water resource management.