India, Australia Push for Mega Pacts

New Delhi: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the launch of the India-Australia Renewable Energy Partnership that will “boost two-way investment in renewable energy projects like solar PV manufacturing, battery and mineral processing, green hydrogen and green iron”. Terming Australia’s relationship with India as “stronger, deeper and more consequential than ever before,” Albanese said, “We’re approaching the fifth anniversary of our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and I know that both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and I place tremendous value on continuing to deepen the tie between our two great nations. Australia’s relationship with India is also vital to regional security and stability.” Terming the Renewable Energy Partnership as “a significant milestone in our cooperation”, Albanese said it would “build the future renewable energy workforce, including through skills and training, and ultimately unlock economic opportunities to support the net zero transition”. One of the key early projects under the partnership is the establishment next year of the India-Australia Rooftop Solar Academy, he said while adding, “Australia will partner with India’s Skill Council for Green Jobs and the private sector to train 2,000 young Indian technicians on solar PV.