Australian PM Scott Morrison Postpones India Visit in Bushfire Crisis
Australian PM Scott Morrison
Earlier on Friday, Australian PM Scott Morrison had said the plan to travel to India was all set. But hours later, he told the media he cannot proceed with the trip.
On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a telephone exchange with his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison about the destruction of life and property in Australia as a result of bushfires.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s visit to India in January has been delayed to later in the year because of the bushfire calamity.
“The visit is being deferred to a mutually suitable time,” said a person who refused to be named.
On Friday, a statement from the external affairs ministry on a telephone exchange between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian PM Scott Morrison said the Indian leader is looking forward to welcoming the Prime Minister of Australia.
Last October, Australian PM Scott Morrison had revealed that he had accepted Modi’s invitation to pay a visit to India. He was likely to travel on January 13 to New Delhi. He was to deliver the inaugural address at the Raisina Dialogue the subsequent day.
Australian PM Scott Morrison has faced condemnation for his response to the bushfires, which have killed eighteen people and exterminated more than 1,200 houses since September. His government’s coal export policy has contributed to climate change as some experts say.
During the phone discussion, Modi expressed condolences on behalf of Indians for the damage to life and property because of the acute and expanded bushfires. Mr. Modi offered India’s generous support to Australia and its people during the unprecedented natural calamity.
Modi reiterated India’s commitment to strengthen its strategic partnership with Australia by expressing satisfaction at the progress in bilateral relations.
