Australia aims to bolster security, economic ties with India
NEW DELHI (AP) — Australia wants to strengthen security cooperation with India while also deepening economic and cultural ties, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Friday ahead of talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"We are partners and building that partnership even stronger each and every day,’’ Albanese told reporters after a ceremonial reception at the Indian president’s palace in New Delhi.
Both countries are working to strengthen the Quad, an alliance of Australia, India, Japan and the United States that aims to counter China’s rising influence in Asia.
At a media briefing on Friday, Albanese was asked to explain his country’s position toward China after he described India as a "top-tier security partner.″
"We need to ensure that Australia’s defense assets are the best they can be, and that we build our capability. At the same time, we need to build relationships. That’s what I’ve been doing. I’ve been doing that here in India, we’re doing that throughout the Indo-Pacific. We’ve ... improved our relationship with China in recent times as well,” he said.
The Indian Ocean is central to both countries’ security and prosperity, Albanese said in a tweet on Thursday, adding that “we are working together to ensure the Indo-Pacific is open, inclusive, and prosperous.”
Albanese was also asked Friday about the recent raid by India's tax officials on the BBC offices in New Delhi and Mumbai after the BBC aired a documentary that was critical of Modi.
“Australia stands up for press freedom. But India is a great democracy, and to dismiss that is, I think, wrong. ... Where there are differences or issues to be raised, we raise them privately and appropriately,” he said.
On Thursday, Albanese briefly watched a...