And after a delay, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are making joint statements in Sydney.
Albanese told reporters the leaders reiterated their “shared ambition” for an early conclusion of the Australia-India Economic Co-operation and Trade Agreement later this year.
He also highlighted the importance of the Quad, and said the group stands together for an “open, stable, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific region”.
Narendra Modi, India’s prime minister, second right, inspects an honor guard during a welcome ceremony at Admiralty House. Credit: Bloomberg
“A region where sovereignty is respected and all countries, large and small, benefit from a regional balance that keeps the peace,” Albanese said.
It was his sixth meeting with Modi in a single year, and he said it showed the strength of the relationship between two countries.
Modi said through a translator his visit marked the maturity of their relationship.
“This reflects a depth in our comprehensive relations, confidence in our views and the maturity of our ties. In the language of cricket, our ties have entered the T20 mode … As you said yesterday, our democratic values are the foundation of our ties,” Modi said.
