PM discusses Indo-Pacific with Australia's Morrison ahead of Quad meet
By TIOL News Service
NEW DELHI, FEB 19, 2021: PRIME Minister Mr Narendra Modi spoke to his Australian counterpart Mr Scott Morrison on Thursday with the two leaders reiterating their strategic ties and commitment to the Indo-Pacific.
Calling the Australian Prime Minister a "good friend," Mr Modi said they discussed regional issues of common interests.
"Spoke with my good friend PM Scott Morrison today. Reiterated our commitment to consolidating our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Also discussed regional issues of common interest. Look forward to working together for peace, prosperity and security in the Indo-Pacific," he said on Twitter.
The Prime Ministers' conversation came just ahead of the US announcement that a third Quadrilateral Security Dialogue or Quad will hold its third meeting of foreign ministers on Thursday.
The grouping includes India, Australia, Japan and the US and the ministers will "exchange views on regional and global issues especially practical areas of cooperation towards maintaining a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region," said an official statement.
US State Department spokesperson Mr Ned Price told a press briefing that the interaction of Secretary of State Mr Antony Blinken and his counterparts is "critical to advancing our shared goals of a free and open Indo-Pacific and rising to the defining challenges of our time, including coordinating our efforts on COVID-19 response as well as climate change."
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