New Delhi, Nov 27 (NationPress) The Australian High Commissioner to India, Philip Green, expressed on Friday that the relationship between India and Australia has reached unprecedented heights, praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his leadership in initiating significant advancements.

Describing India and Australia as close allies, the Australian envoy indicated that both nations are now cooperating towards a mutual vision for the Indian Ocean and a stable, prosperous, and free Indo-Pacific region. In a conversation with IANS, Green emphasized the rapid growth of India's economy, highlighting its importance to Australia.

"Our bilateral relations have never been better. During the tenure of the Modi administration, we have witnessed truly remarkable progress. I like to categorize it this way: there are three core drivers of our bilateral relationship. We now have a strategic alignment. Australia and India have always shared a friendship, but it has evolved as we pursue a common vision for our Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific, aiming for stability, prosperity, and freedom," Green remarked to IANS.

"Moreover, we have a strong economic complementarity. India's economy is expanding swiftly, which is of global interest but particularly significant for Australia, as we supply essential resources needed for India's next phase of economic advancement, including energy, minerals, metals, and training. Our countries do not compete significantly. Lastly, the so-called human bridge is another vital aspect of our relationship. Approximately one million individuals of Indian descent call Australia home, adding a powerful personal touch to our connections," he explained.

The Australian representative labeled India as a global power and noted how PM Modi has highlighted this status. He referred to the 2023 G20 Summit held in New Delhi as a remarkable showcase of India's emergence as a key global player.

"India is undoubtedly a leading power on the world stage, a fact that has been strongly emphasized by Prime Minister Modi. When I arrived here two years ago during the G20 Summit, it was a significant indication of India's status as a global player. The G20 not only produced numerous new outcomes across various critical sectors such as technology, culture, and science, but also managed to unite major global powers in a single document addressing intricate geo-strategic challenges, including Russia's invasion of Ukraine. This is just one instance, yet it illustrates the transformative role PM Modi plays, particularly when he visits Australia and engages with the large Indian diaspora, promoting India's promising future on the world stage," he added.

Recently, PM Modi and his Australian counterpart, Anthony Albanese, met on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, where both expressed satisfaction at the deepening and diversification of cooperation between India and Australia over the past five years since the elevation of their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2020.

In response to a question about whether India has emerged as a global power under PM Modi's leadership, the Australian Ambassador affirmed, "Absolutely. India is now the most populous country in the world and the fastest-growing large economy, actively engaging with some of the toughest global issues and making progress. For Australia, India is an essential partner in the Indo-Pacific. These factors reflect India's positive influence in global affairs."