PM Narendra Modi takes up temple attacks with Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday raised the issue of attacks on Indians in Australia with his counterpart Anthony Albanese even as the Indian leader discussed maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region with the visiting dignitary.

During bilateral talks with Albanese at the annual summit here, Modi alerted him to the growing number of attacks on temples in Australia in the recent past.

In his media statement following the summit, Modi said it is a matter of regret that reports of attacks on temples have been coming regularly from Australia over the past few weeks and that it is natural that such news worries everyone in India. "I conveyed these feelings and concerns to PM Albanese and he has assured me that the safety of the Indian community is of special priority for him," Modi said in the presence of the Australian prime minister.


Calling security cooperation an "important pillar in the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and Australia", Modi said both countries discussed maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region during their talks.

India and Australia exchanged MoUs linked to sports and audio-visual co-production as well as the terms of reference for Solar Taskforce. The discussions were focused on boosting cooperation in clean energy, trade and investment, defence and security, critical minerals, migration and mobility, supply chains, education, culture and sports.

"India and Australia are both members of the Quad. I thank PM Albanese for inviting me to Australia for the Quad leaders' summit in May. I have invited him to India for the G20 summit in September," Modi said. "Our teams are working on a comprehensive economic agreement between our two countries."

Albanese said the two leaders had agreed on an early conclusion of their "ambitious" Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement. "Today, PM Modi and I agreed on an early conclusion of our ambitious Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement as soon as possible. I am hopeful that we will be able to finalise it this year."

Addressing a press conference, foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra said, "Both leaders assessed very clearly and noted with great satisfaction the strong all-round progress across a range of areas, including science and technology, strategic and security domain, renewable energy partnership in critical minerals, trade and economic engagement."