PM Modi meets Aus Leader of Opposition Peter Dutton; welcomes bipartisan support for bilateral ties

PM narendramodi had a productive meeting with Leader of Opposition PeterDuttonMP in Sydney, the Ministry of External Affairs tweeted.PM Modi conveyed his appreciation for the strong bipartisan support that our partnership enjoys.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday appreciated Australia's Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton for ensuring strong bipartisan support for the strategic bilateral relations.

Modi met Dutton here during the third and final leg of his three-nation tour. Dutton called the meeting between the two of them ''productive''.

The two leaders discussed various aspects of the bilateral ties as well as regional developments.

''It was a pleasure to meet you again. Appreciate that you are ensuring bipartisan support to India- Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,'' Modi tweeted.

In 2020, the relations between the two countries touched a new level with both countries elevating their ties to a "comprehensive strategic partnership", signing key agreements including a landmark pact for reciprocal access to military bases against the backdrop of their frosty relations with China.

Dutton is a member of Australia's Liberal Party.

After the meeting, Dutton tweeted, ''Wonderful to catch up again with a great friend of Australia, @narendramodi. Proud of the special and growing relationship Australia has with India and may it go from strength to strength in the years ahead.'' Dutton was also present at the community event held on Tuesday at the Qudos Bank Arena.

''An electric atmosphere in Sydney tonight to welcome a great friend of Australia,@narendramodi, to our country,'' he tweeted on Tuesday.

''A relationship enjoying support across the political spectrum. PM @narendramodi had a productive meeting with Leader of Opposition @PeterDutton_MP in Sydney,'' the Ministry of External Affairs tweeted.

''PM Modi conveyed his appreciation for the strong bipartisan support that our partnership enjoys. Also discussed various aspects of bilateral ties, including people-to-people linkages, as well as regional developments,'' the tweet read.

Modi arrived in Australia on Monday as a guest of the Australian Government. Modi began his three-nation tour on Friday from Japan where he attended three sessions at the G7 summit following an invitation by Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida.

Then, he went to Papua New Guinea, where he held talks with his counterpart James Marape and took stock of their bilateral relations. He also co-hosted with Marape the 3rd Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation summit held at Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea.