Narendra Modi, Scott Morrison review strategic partnership ahead of Quad meet in Washington

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison on Wednesday as the two leaders reviewed the rapid progress in the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, including through the recent ’two-plus-two’ dialogue. They also exchanged views on regional developments and the forthcoming Quad meeting, Modi said. “Was happy to speak with my friend @ScottMorrisonMP. We reviewed the rapid progress in the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, including through the recent 2+2 Dialogue. We also exchanged perspectives on regional developments and the forthcoming Quad meeting,” the prime minister tweeted. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajath Singh had held the ’two-plus-two’ talks here with their Australian counterparts Marise Payne and Peter Dutton on Saturday. Developments in Afghanistan, the COVID-19 pandemic and ways to expand cooperation for a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific are set to be the central focus of the first in-person summit of the Quad in Washington next week that will be attended by Prime Minister Modi and other leaders of the four-nation grouping.