India and Australia sign landmark deal to access each other's bases

India and Australia will access each other’s military bases for logistics support, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison inked a landmark agreement on Thursday (June 4). This will increase the military exercises and exchanges between the countries in the Indo-Pacific region.

The mutual logistic support agreement was among the seven pacts Indian and Australia had signed for a comprehensive strategic partnership. The agreement will allow refuelling of military ships and aircraft of both the countries and use maintenance facilities at the bases.

During an online summit between the leaders, the countries discussed ways to counter terrorism effectively. They resolved to address potential risks associated with virtual assets and new financial technologies that may be abused for money laundering and terrorist financing, officials said.

At the virtual summit with PM @ScottMorrisonMP. https://t.co/6JIpZRae21

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 4, 2020

A joint statement issued after Modi-Morrison talks said the two countries recognised that terrorism remained a threat to peace and stability in the region and strongly condemned the menace in all its forms and manifestations. The countries also agreed to subject virtual assets service providers to anti-money laundering and counter-terror financing regulations.

The two sides asserted that there could be no justification for acts of terror on any grounds whatsoever, and called for early adoption of a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT).

Related News: PM Modi holds virtual summit with Australian PM Scott Morrison

In the talks, both the countries pitched for a comprehensive approach in combating terrorism, including by countering violent extremism, preventing radicalisation, disrupting financial support to terrorists and facilitating the prosecution of those involved in acts of terror, said the joint statement.

“Both sides reiterate the resolve to work with internet companies to strengthen transparency to prevent online terrorist activity consistent with the G20 Osaka leaders agreement on preventing exploitation of the internet for terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism,” it said.

(With agency inputs)