Australia aims to bolster security, economic ties with India

By ASHOK SHARMA
Associated Press

NEW DELHI (AP) — The prime ministers of India and Australia have expressed concern over an “increasingly uncertain global security environment” and committed themselves to strengthening their defense and security partnership to ensure stability in the Indo-Pacific. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on Friday did not directly refer to Russia’s war against Ukraine. Albanese said Australia wants to strengthen security cooperation and economic and cultural ties with India. Both countries are also 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.