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November 18, 2014 | 06:45 IST
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The Prime Minister of India and the Prime Minister of Australia reaffirm that the Strategic Partnership between India and Australia is based on converging political, economic and strategic interests; a shared desire to promote regional and global peace, security and prosperity; and a commitment to democracy, freedom, human rights, and the rule of law.
They have decided to establish a Framework for Security Cooperation to reflect the deepening and expanding security and defence engagement between India and Australia, and to intensify cooperation and consultation between Australia and India in areas of mutual interest. The Framework will be implemented in accordance with the Action Plan below:
Action Plan
1. Annual Summit and Foreign Policy Exchanges and Coordination
a. Annual meeting of Prime Ministers, including in the margins of multilateral meetings b. Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue c. Senior Officials’ Talks led by India’s Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs and the Secretary of Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade d. East Asia Talks between External/Foreign Affairs senior officials e. 1.5 Track Australia-India Dialogue
2. Defence policy planning and coordination
a. Regular Defence Ministers’ Meeting b. Annual Defence Policy Talks c. Annual 1.5 Track Defence Strategic Dialogue d. Service to service engagement including regular high-level visits, annual staff talks, joint training and regular exercises as agreed e. Regular bilateral maritime exercises f. Explore defence research and development cooperation, including through visits by Australian and Indian defence material delegations and efforts to foster joint industry links
3. Counter-terrorism and other Transnational Crimes
a. Annual Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism and other Transnational Crimes b. Cooperation in CT training and exchanges between experts on countering improvised explosive devices, bomb incidents and technologies c. Exchanges on counter-radicalisation d. Cooperation between police on investigation of transnational crime e. Cooperation on extradition and mutual legal assistance requests f. Cooperation between AUSTRAC and Financial Intelligence Unit-India g. Exchanges on cyber policy and cooperation between CERT India and CERT Australia h. Cooperation on combating illegal migration
4. Border Protection, Coast Guard, and Customs
a. Annual meetings of the Joint Working Group on Visas, Passports and Consular Matters b. Exchanges and cooperation between the Indian Coast Guard and Australian border protection authorities c. Cooperation between Customs authorities, including training
5. Disarmament, Non-proliferation, Civil Nuclear Energy and Maritime Security
a. Annual bilateral dialogue on Disarmament, Non-Proliferation and International Security, including maritime security b. Australian support for Indian membership of the export control regimes c. Early operationalization of civil nuclear energy cooperation and Australia’s support for strengthening India’s energy security by supply of uranium for India’s safeguarded nuclear reactors d. Cooperation between agencies engaged on international search and rescue, including through information exchange and regional dialogue e. Cooperation on these issues in relevant international fora, including the Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum
6. Disaster management and peacekeeping
a. Exchange on approaches to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief b. Collaboration in the East Asia Summit on disaster management c. Cooperation and exchanges on peacekeeping issues, including between peacekeeping institutions
7. Cooperation in Regional and Multilateral Fora
a. Close cooperation in regional and multilateral fora, including the East Asia Summit, ASEAN Regional Forum, ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus, the Indian Ocean Rim Association, Indian Ocean Naval Symposium, the UN and its specialised agencies, and the G20 b. Support for India’s bid to be a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council
Implementation
Progress under the Action Plan will be reviewed through established institutional arrangements, including the Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue and the Defence Ministers’ Meeting.
Agreements/Memoranda of Understanding signed during the visit of Prime Minister to Australia (16-18 November, 2014)
No.
Title
Indian signatory
Australian signatory
Remarks
1.
Agreement on Social Security
Biren Nanda,
High Commissioner
Kevin Andrews,
Minister for Social Services
To strengthen the people-to-people contacts and facilitate and regulate the regulations between the two countries with respect to social security benefits and coverage. It will provide for social security and superannuation benefits for those who have been residents of the other country on basis of equality of benefit, export of benefits and avoidance of double coverage. It will lead to greater economies and promote the flow of professionals.
2.
Agreement concerning Transfer of Sentenced Persons
Biren Nanda,
High Commissioner
Michael Keenan,
Minister for Justice
To enhance cooperative efforts in law enforcement and administration of justice and to cooperate in the enforcement of penal sentences. It will facilitate, regulate and lay down procedures for the transfer of sentenced persons and enable rehabilitation and reintegration of sentenced persons into society.
3.
MOU on Combating Narcotics Trafficking and Developing Police Cooperation
Anil Wadhwa, Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs
Michael Keenan,
Minister for Justice
To address concerns regarding illicit trafficking and drug abuse. It places priority on tackling illicit trade, diversion of precursors, asset forfeiture and drug money laundering. It will promote capacity building and help develop strategies and procedures for operations to disrupt and dismantle transnational narcotic related threats.
4.
MOU on Cooperation in the Field of Arts and Culture
Anil Wadhwa, Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs
George Brandis,
Attorney-General and Minister for the Arts
To enhance cultural relations between the two countries in pursuance of the Cultural Agreement of 1971. It will promote cooperation through exchange of information, professional expertise, training and exhibitions in the field of culture. It will deepen understanding between the people, institutions and art genres and promote sound and sustainable artistic and cultural activities.
5.
MOU in the Field of Tourism
Anil Wadhwa, Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs
Andrew Robb, Minister for Trade and Investment
To enhance the bilateral cooperation and strengthen the friendly between the people. It will encourage cooperation in tourism policy, information exchange, interaction between tourism stakeholders, training and investments in hospitality sector and promote the importance of the tourism sector in economic development and employment generation.
India is going to open doors of new possibilities of space for the world: PM Modi
June 28, 2025
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I extend my heartiest congratulations and best wishes to you for hoisting the flag of India in space: PM
Science and Spirituality, both are our Nation’s strength: PM
The success of Chandrayaan mission and your historic journey renew interest in science among the children and youth of the country: PM
We have to take Mission Gaganyaan forward, we have to build our own space station and also land Indian astronauts on the Moon: PM
Your historic journey is the first chapter of success of India's Gaganyaan mission and will give speed and new vigour to our journey of Viksit Bharat: PM
India is going to open doors of new possibilities of space for the world: PM
Prime Minister: Shubhanshu Namaskar!
Shubhanshu Shukla: Namaskar!
Prime Minister: Today you are far away from your motherland, from Bharat Bhumi, but you are closest to the hearts of Indians. There is auspiciousness in your name and your journey is also the beginning of a new era. At this time, we two are talking, but the sentiments of 140 crore Indians are also with me. My voice reflects the enthusiasm and excitement of all Indians. I extend my heartiest congratulations and best wishes to you for hoisting the flag of India in space. I am not taking much time, so first of all tell me, is everything fine there? Are you feeling well?
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Shubhanshu Shukla: Yes, Prime Minister Ji! Thank you very much for your wishes and the wishes of my 140 crore countrymen. I am absolutely fine and safe here. Because of your blessings and love… I am feeling very good. This is a very new experience and somewhere or the other, many such things are happening which show in which direction I and many people like me in our country and our India are moving. This journey of mine, this small journey of 400 kilometers from the earth to the orbit, is not just mine. I feel that somewhere this is also the journey of our country because when I was young, I could never imagine that I could become an astronaut. But I believe that today's India under your leadership provides this opportunity and also gives a chance to realize those dreams. So, this is a great achievement for me and I feel very proud that I am able to represent my country here. Thank you, Prime Minister Ji!
Prime Minister: Shubh, you are out in space, where gravity is next to nothing, but every Indian is seeing how down to earth you are. Did you feed the Gajar ka halwa you carried with you to your friends?
Shubhanshu Shukla: Yes, Prime Ministerji! I had brought some food items from my country, like Gajar ka Halwa, Moong Dal Halwa and Aam Ras and I wanted my other friends, who have come from other countries, to also taste it and experience the rich culinary heritage of India. So, we all sat together and tasted it and everyone liked it very much. Some people asked when they would come down and visit our country and taste it with us…
Prime Minister: Shubh, Parikrama is a centuries old tradition of India. You have got the good fortune of doing Parikrama of Mother Earth. Which part of the Earth will you be passing over right now?
Shubhanshu Shukla: Yes, Prime Minister Ji! I don't have that information right now, but a little while ago I was looking out the window, we were passing over Hawaii, and we orbit 16 times a day. We see 16 sunrises and 16 sunsets from orbit and this entire process is very amazing. In this orbit, at this fast speed, we are moving at the speed of about 28000 kilometers per hour
while talking to you and this speed is not known because we are inside, but somewhere this speed definitely shows at what speed our country is progressing.
Prime Minister: Great!
Shubhanshu Shukla: At this moment we have reached here and now we have to go further from here.
Prime Minister: Well, what was the first thought that came to your mind after seeing the vastness of space?
Shubhanshu Shukla: Prime Minister ji, to be honest, when we reached the orbit for the first time, reached space, the first view was of the Earth and the first thought after seeing the Earth from outside, the first thought that came to mind was that the Earth looks completely uniform, I mean no boundary line, no border is visible from outside. And the second thing that was very noticeable was when we saw India for the first time, when we study India on the map, we see how big the size of other countries is, what is our size, we see that on the map, but it is not correct because we draw a 3D object in 2D, that is, on paper. India really looks very grand, looks very big. It is much bigger than what we see on the map and the feeling of oneness, the feeling of oneness of the earth, which is also our motto that unity in diversity, its importance is understood in such a way when seen from outside that it seems that no border exists, no state exists, no countries exist, finally we all are a part of humanity and the earth is our home and all of us are its citizens.
Prime Minister: Shubhanshu, you are the first Indian to go to the space station. You have worked very hard. You have gone through a long training. Now you are in a real situation, you are actually in space, how different are the conditions there? How are you adapting?
Shubhanshu Shukla: Everything is different here Prime Minister Ji, we did training for the last one year, I knew about all the systems, I knew about all the processes, I knew about the experiments. But as soon as I came here, suddenly everything changed, because our body gets so used to living in gravity that everything is decided by it, but after coming here, since gravity is microgravity and is absent, even small things become very difficult. Right now, while talking to you, I have tied my legs, otherwise I would go up and the mike too, these are small things, that is, even if I leave it like this, it keeps floating like this. Drinking water, walking, sleeping is a big challenge, you can sleep on the roof, you can sleep on the walls, you can sleep on the ground.
So, Prime Minister Ji, everything happens, the training is good, but the environment changes, so it takes a day or two to get used to it, but then it becomes fine, then it becomes normal.
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Prime Minister: Shubh, India's strength lies in both science and spirituality. You are on a space journey, but the journey of India must also be going on. India must be running inside you. Do you get the benefit of meditation and mindfulness in that environment?
Shubhanshu Shukla: Yes, Prime Minister Ji, I completely agree. I believe that India is already running and this mission is just the first step of that big race and we are definitely moving ahead and we will have our own stations in space and many people will reach there and mindfulness also makes a lot of difference. There are many situations during normal training or even during launch, which are very stressful and with mindfulness you are able to keep yourself calm in those situations and if you keep yourself calm, you are able to take good decisions. It is said that no one can eat while running, so the calmer you remain, the better you will be able to take decisions. So, I think mindfulness plays a very important role in these things, so if both things are practiced together, then in such a challenging environment or challenging atmosphere, I think it will be very useful and will help people adapt very quickly.
Prime Minister: You are doing many experiments in space. Is there any experiment that will benefit the agriculture or health sector in the future?
Shubhanshu Shukla: Yes, Prime Minister Ji, I can say with great pride that for the first time Indian scientists have designed 7 unique experiments, which I have brought with me to the station and the first experiment that I am going to do, which is scheduled today, is on Stem
Cells. So, what happens on going to space is that because gravity is absent, the load goes away and hence muscle loss occurs. So, my experiment is looking at whether we can stop or delay this muscle loss by giving some supplement. It has a direct implication on Earth too that these supplements can be used on people who suffer muscle loss due to old age. So, I think it can definitely be used there. Along with this, the other experiment is on the growth of microalgae. These microalgae are very small but very nutritious, so if we can see their growth here and invent a process so that we can grow them in large numbers and provide nutrition, then somewhere it will be very useful for food security on earth. The biggest advantage of space is that the process here happens very quickly. So, we do not need to wait for months or years, so the results that we get here can be used by us and…
Prime Minister: Shubhanshu, after the success of Chandrayaan, a new interest in science was born among the children and youth of the country, the passion to explore space increased. Now this historic journey of yours is further strengthening that resolve. Today children do not just look at the sky, they think, I too can reach there. This thinking, this feeling is the real foundation of our future space missions. What message would you give to the young generation of India?
Shubhanshu Shukla: Prime Minister Ji, if I want to give a message to our young generation today, then first of all I will tell you that in the direction in which India is moving, we have seen very bold and very high dreams and to fulfil those dreams, we need all of you, so to fulfil that need, I would say that there is no one path to success that sometimes you take one path, sometimes someone takes the other path, but one thing that is common in every path is that you should never give up trying, Never Stop Trying. If you adopt this basic mantra that no matter what path you are on, where you are, but you will never give up, then success may come today or tomorrow, but it will definitely come.
Prime Minister: I am sure that the youth of the country will like these words of yours and you know me very well. Whenever I talk to anyone, I always give them homework. We have to take Mission Gaganyaan forward, we have to build our own space station, and also have to land Indian astronauts on the moon. Your experiences will be very useful in all these missions. I am sure you must be recording your experiences there.
Shubhanshu Shukla: Yes, Prime Minister Ji, absolutely, while undergoing the training and experiencing this entire mission, the lessons that I have received, the learnings that I have gained, I am absorbing them all like a sponge and I am sure that all these things will prove to be very valuable, very important for us when I come back and we will be able to apply these lessons effectively in our missions and complete them as quickly as possible. Because my friends who had come with me, somewhere they also asked me when we can go on Gaganyaan, which I felt very happy to hear and I said that soon. So, I think that this dream will be fulfilled very soon and the lessons that I am learning here; after coming back, I will try to apply them 100% in my mission and complete it as soon as possible.
Prime Minister: Shubhanshu, I am sure that this message of yours will inspire and when we met before you left, I also got the opportunity to meet your family members and I saw that all your family members are equally emotional and full of enthusiasm. Shubhanshu, today I really enjoyed talking to you. I know you have a lot of work and you have to work at a speed of 28000 kilometers, so I will not take much of your time. Today I can say with confidence that this is the first chapter of the success of India's Gaganyaan mission. This historic journey of yours is not just limited to space, it will give speed and new strength to our journey towards developed India. India is going to open the doors of new possibilities of space for the world. Now India will not just fly, it will prepare the platform for new flights in future. I want to hear something more in your mind because I do not want to ask a question. If you express the feelings that are in your mind, the countrymen will listen, the young generation of the country will listen, then I myself am very eager to hear some more things from you.
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Shubhanshu Shukla: Thank you, Prime Minister Ji! This entire journey of coming to space and training here and reaching here, I have learnt a lot in this, Prime Minister Ji, but after reaching
here, it is a personal accomplishment for me, but somewhere I feel that this is a very big collective achievement for our country. And I want to give a message to every child who is watching this, to every youth who is watching this and that is that if you try and you make your future well, then your future will be good and the future of our country will be good and keep only one thing in your mind, that sky has never the limits, neither for you, nor for me, nor for India and if you always keep this thing in your mind, then you will move ahead, you will illuminate your future and you will illuminate the future of our country and this is my message, Prime Minister and I am very, very emotional and very happy that I got the opportunity to talk to you today and through you to talk to 140 crore countrymen, who are able to see, this tricolor that you are seeing behind me, it was not here, before yesterday when I came here, then we have hoisted it here for the first time. So, this makes me very emotional and I feel very good to see that India has reached the International Space Station today.
Prime Minister: Shubhanshu, I wish you and all your colleagues the very best for the success of your mission. Shubhanshu, we are all waiting for your return. Take care of yourself, keep raising the respect of Maa Bharati. Many many best wishes, best wishes of 140 crore countrymen and I thank you very much for working so hard and reaching this height. Bharat Mata ki Jai!
Shubhanshu Shukla: Thank you, Prime Minister, thank you and thank you to all 140 crore countrymen and Bharat Mata Ki Jai for everyone from space!
I extend my heartiest congratulations and best wishes to you for hoisting the flag of India in space: PM
