Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday raised the issue of temple vandalism by Khalistani elements with his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese. PM Modi said the Australian PM has assured of Indian community's safety after incidents of vandalism.

In a joint press conference along with Anthony Albanese, PM Modi said, "Matter of regret that reports have come regularly from Australia in the last few weeks about attacks on temples. I have conveyed this to PM Albanese and he has assured me that the safety and well-being of the Indian community in Australia is a priority for them."

Australia, India agree on strengthening economic, defence ties 

 Australia and India have agreed to accelerate a broader economic partnership and to boost their defence ties, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in New Delhi on Friday.

Last year the two countries signed a free trade deal called the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), the first signed by India with a developed country in a decade.

However, a much larger Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) has been stuck in negotiations for over a decade. Discussions between the countries restarted in 2011 but were suspended in 2016 as the talks were gridlocked.