The governments of India and Australia have decided to sign nine pacts, including one to raise their relationship to a ‘Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’ for wider and deeper cooperation in diverse areas ranging from trade to defence.
The eight other pacts cover co-operation in key matters such as cyber technology, maritime engagement, education, science and technology and water resources management.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison attended a virtual bilateral summit on 5 June 2020.
The agreements announced at the summit included a joint statement on a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and a joint declaration on a Shared Vision for Maritime Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.
The pacts signed included a framework arrangement on Cyber and Cyber-enabled Critical Technology Cooperation, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Co-operation in the Field of Mining and Processing of Critical and Strategic Minerals, an arrangement concerning Mutual Logistics Support (MLSA), and an implementing arrangement concerning Cooperation in Defence Science and Technology.
Three MoUs were also signed on co-operation in the fields of Public Administration and Governance Reforms, Vocational Education and Training and Water Resources Management.