India and Australia signed a migration accord; a new consulate will be opened in Brisbane
The migration agreement between India and Australia will facilitate the mobility of students, academics, and professionals. The agreement was announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Australia, signifying an important step forward in bilateral relations between the two countries. "The Prime Minister and I are delighted to have just witnessed the signing of the migration and mobility partnership agreement between Australia and India. This arrangement will promote the exchange of students, graduates, researchers, and businesspeople, expand our people-to-people ties, and enhance cooperation in the fight against people smuggling, said Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at a joint press conference following the conclusion of the two leaders' bilateral meeting in Sydney. This interaction is the sixth between Modi and Albanese since the Australian leader's inauguration in May of last year. Their diplomatic conversations have spanned various topics, from the Quad Leaders Summit in 2022 to the most recent G7 Summit in Hiroshima, Japan. In addition to the consulates already established in Perth, Melbourne, and Sydney, India intends to establish a consulate in Brisbane. The two nations finalised the Terms of Reference for the India-Australia Hydrogen Task Force as part of their climate agenda. The task force is committed to achieving energy goals and lowering global emissions by pursuing opportunities for renewable hydrogen. The Terms of Reference for the India-Australia Hydrogen Task Force were finalised during the meeting. This initiative, which targets opportunities for green hydrogen, will report to the bilateral ministerial dialogue. Albanese emphasised that investments such as this task force would bolster industry, achieve energy goals, and support global efforts to reduce emissions. During their interaction, the leaders also expressed optimism regarding the advancement of a comprehensive economic accord and exchanged opinions on defence and security, critical minerals, and education. During this diplomatic visit, external affairs minister S Jaishankar met with his Australian counterpart, Penny Wong. Prime Minister Modi held additional meetings with the Governor-General of Australia, David Hurley, and the opposition leader, Peter Dutton.
