Australia, India to Partner on Emissions Tech, Critical Minerals

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia on Aug. 20, 2021. (Rohan Thomson/Getty Images)

Australia and India have signed an agreement to support low-emissions technology sharing, focusing on hydrogen development and low-cost solar programs.

The talks come ahead of face-to-face Quad discussions, including the leaders of the United States and Japan.

“Unless we can get the technology transformation occurring in developing countries, then I fear that the ambitions that so many have for addressing climate change will be frustrated,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison told reporters in Washington D.C.

“If we want to make a difference on climate change, we’ve got to make a difference everywhere, not just in advanced economies.”

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi released a communique after the meeting, saying the leaders would work to address climate change and explore clean technology.

“In this regard, Prime Minister Modi highlighted the need for a broader dialogue on environment protection,” it said.

He also extended an invitation for Morrison to visit India.

“The prime ministers agreed that as two vibrant democracies in the region, the two countries needed to work closer together to overcome the challenges in the post-pandemic world,” he said.

Australia’s prime minister was due to visit India in January last year but cancelled his trip after bushfires broke out.

Morrison said discussions around critical minerals were still ongoing.

“Prime Minister Modi and I share a passion around that project because they are also involved in that supply chain at various different points, and it’s important that we have the choice that exists in world markets around these issues,” he said.

“Of course, for us to develop those critical minerals and rare earths opportunities, then we need to ensure that the downstream users are caught in a very productive and trusted supply chain.”

Meanwhile, Trade Minister Dan Tehan will meet with Indian counterpart Piyush Goyal, along with Morrison and Modi, to advance collaboration on digital agreements.

The upcoming Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or Quad, will see the leaders of the United States, India, Australia and Japan look towards solidifying cooperation across a range of areas, including maritime security, COVID-19 vaccines, counter-terrorism cooperation, and securing supply chains for goods.

The partnership is seen as a counter to Beijing’s increasing aggression in the Indo-Pacific region.

AAP contributed to this article.