PM Modi meets Australian Deputy PM Marles; lauds 5 years of Strategic Partnership
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Australian Deputy Prime Minister and defence minister Richard Marles on Wednesday in the national capital, holding productive discussions to deepen the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership on its fifth anniversary.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
The leaders during the discussion shared their visions for a stable, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region and highlighted the strengthening of bilateral ties between the two nations, focused on enhancing defence and strategic cooperation amidst regional security challenges.
"Glad to meet Deputy Prime Minister of Australia Richard Marles. Had a productive discussion on deepening the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which marks its fifth anniversary today. Our shared vision for a stable, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific continues to guide our collaboration,"
stated in a post on X.
Earlier today, the Australian Deputy Prime Minister laid a wreath at the National War Memorial here, underscoring the tribute to India's fallen heroes.
"Australian Deputy Prime Minister & Minister for Defence Mr Richard Marles visited the National War Memorial in New Delhi and laid a wreath in solemn tribute to India's fallen heroes. The gesture underscores the shared respect, sacrifice, and growing defence cooperation between India and Australia," the Ministry of Defence stated on X.
Marles arrived in Delhi late on Tuesday night as part of his high-level meetings in the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and India from June 2-5, as per the Australian Defence Government release.
The Deputy Prime Minister will meet leaders and counterparts in South and Southeast Asia as part of the Government's commitment to deepening diplomatic and defence partnerships in the Indo-Pacific.
He also met defence minister Rajnath Singh earlier today, discussed regional and global security issues, and deepened defence cooperation between the two countries.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
During the meeting, the defence minister reaffirmed India's and Australia's strong defence partnership and commitment to combating terrorism and acknowledged the growing strategic ties between the two nations and thanked Australia for its support following the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
41 minutes ago
- News18
PM Modi Inaugurates Vande Bharat on World's Tallest Chenab Bridge
In a historic and symbolic moment for India's infrastructure development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the Vande Bharat Express atop the world's tallest railway bridge—the majestic Chenab Bridge in Jammu & high above the Chenab River and located near the Line of Control with Pakistan, this engineering marvel marks a turning point in the region's connectivity and strategic significance. The event witnessed the presence of key dignitaries, defense officials, and railway engineers who played a pivotal role in completing this ambitious bridge is not only an architectural triumph but also a strong statement of India's commitment to development in border areas. The Vande Bharat Express launch from this point underlines the Modi government's focus on national unity, regional inclusion, and next-gen transport infrastructure. News18 Mobile App -
Time of India
41 minutes ago
- Time of India
Chenab railway bridge: While India lays tracks in Kashmir, Pakistan cancels development projects
India builds while Pakistan borrows Live Events Engineering the future: The Chenab Bridge Built to last Vande Bharat: Trains of the future (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Chenab Bridge on Friday, marking a landmark moment for Indian infrastructure. Standing 359 metres above the Chenab River, the bridge is now the highest railway arch bridge in the world. It is expected to soon carry the high-speed Vande Bharat trains between Katra and Srinagar — a first for the Kashmir a video shared on Instagram, the Prime Minister gave a brief glimpse of the newly completed structure, calling it 'a step towards Naya Kashmir.' The inauguration is seen as a major step in India's long-term effort to transform connectivity and development in Jammu and Kashmir, a region historically shaped by conflict and geographic timing of the inauguration is significant. As India opens a strategic railway line through the tough Himalayan terrain, neighbouring Pakistan faces a very different reality — one marked by loan dependency, budget cuts, and a growing economic this year, Pakistan secured an $800 million loan from the Asian Development Bank . This followed a $1 billion tranche from the International Monetary Fund, part of a broader $7 billion bailout programme. India has publicly opposed both, arguing the funds could be diverted to support terrorism rather than their intended development the same time, Pakistan has raised its defence budget by 18% to ₹2.5 trillion, citing increased tensions with India. According to India Today, the Pakistani government plans to cancel 118 development projects worth ₹1,000 billion (PKR), given that its total development allocation for the current fiscal year is only ₹880 billion (PKR).Indian officials have also pointed to Pakistan's falling tax-to-GDP ratio — from 13% in 2018 to just 9.2% in 2023 — as an indicator of growing economic risk and weak revenue Chenab Bridge is a central part of the 272-kilometre-long Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Railway Line (USBRL), a major infrastructure project estimated to cost ₹44,000 crore. The line includes 36 tunnels and 943 bridges and is designed to fully integrate Jammu and Kashmir with the Indian rail particular bridge lies between the Kauri and Bakkal sections of the USBRL. It connects remote areas and offers year-round rail access to the Kashmir Valley — a significant shift for both civilian travel and military also inaugurated the Anji Bridge , India's first cable-stayed railway bridge, from which the broader USBRL project was Chenab Bridge is not just symbolic — it is a feat of modern engineering. Built using 28,000 tonnes of steel and 66,000 cubic metres of concrete, the bridge is designed to endure the extremes of its mountain construction employed 'Tekla Technology', a digital design platform that allowed for high precision in both design and execution. The structure can withstand winds of up to 260 km/h, survive earthquakes up to magnitude 8, and is blast-resistant. Engineers estimate its operational lifespan to be around 120 addition to the bridge, Prime Minister Modi is also launching two Vande Bharat trains — currently India's fastest. These trains can reach speeds of up to 180 km/h and operate at an average of 130 km/h. By contrast, Pakistan's fastest train tops out at 105 km/ addition of these trains to the newly completed rail corridor underscores India's focus on high-speed, high-impact infrastructure — a vision that stands in sharp contrast to the financial and development setbacks being reported across the border.
Business Standard
an hour ago
- Business Standard
Prime Minister outlines key projects worth Rs 46,000 crores for enhanced connectivity in Jammu & Kashmir
Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has outlined vision and key projects worth Rs 46,000 crores for enhanced connectivity in Jammu & Kashmir, marking a historic milestone in the regions connectivity. Modi mentioned that Chenab Rail Bridge will improve connectivity between Jammu and Srinagar. He has also highlighted that the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project will ensure all weather connectivity and the introduction of Vande Bharat trains between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and Srinagar will boost spiritual tourism and generate employment.
