Russia-Ukraine crisis: Australia praises India's mediation attempts

Australia's High Commissioner to India Barry O'Farrell appreciated Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's initiative to talk to the President of Russia Vladimir Putin and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and added that it is a positive sign that India by mediating will diffuse the ongoing situation between both the countries.

Farrell said, "PM Modi has spoken thrice to Russian President Putin and twice with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is a good thing because it shows that India wants to try and resolve these issues." Moreover, touching briefly upon the trade deal that India sealed with Australia, he stated, " It means companies, farmers and technologists in India sell more to Australia & vice versa and that's good for the nation."

The India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (IndAus ECTA) was signed by commerce minister Piyush Goyal and his counterpart Australian trade, tourism and investment minister Dan Tehan in a virtual ceremony attended by PM Modi and his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison on April 2.

Goyal said that this trade pact will create one million jobs in the next 4-5 years, says Piyush Goyal, Minister for Commerce and Industry. This is the first trade agreement with a developed economy after more than a decade. This agreement will be signalling for other developed countries' agreements such as the UK, Canada and the EU, with whom India is currently negotiating for Free Trade Agreement.

(ANI)