Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison wished Indian Australians on the event of Holi and thanked them for the love and care shown towards the Australian community. 

Part of Morrison’s statement reads, “Holi holds even more meaning this year. As we reach the end of a 2nd pandemic year, we can be thankful for the many things that have sustained us -our family, community and faith. I want to thank the Indian Australian community for the love and care you have shown, not only to your own families, but to all Australians”, and he adds, “Now, after being apart for so long, these celebrations bring us together in a spirit of unity and friendship, and inspiring hope for this future”. 

The Indian High Commission in Australia has responded by thanking the Australian PM for his wishes. India and Australia’s diplomatic ties have strengthened significantly under Morrison and Indian PM Narendra Modi. 

On Monday, March 21, Modi will meet Morrison, as the Quad partners are likely to discuss the situation in Ukraine, with Russian troops attempting to “denazify” and “demilitarize” the country. 

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The two countries have taken starkly different stances, with Australia imposing sanctions on oligarchs and condemning Russia outright. Meanwhile, India has remained neutral, abstaining from UN votes against Russia. The nation has reiterated its focus on a diplomatic solution being reached and asked that countries stick to the UN charter. 

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Recently, an Indian judge at the Internation Court of Justice (ICJ) voted against Russia but India was quick to distance itself from the decision, calling it a personal one. There is also some speculation that India might import crude oil from Russia, which faces a ban in the US due to its actions in Ukraine. The European Union (EU) is also looking to phase out importing Russian oil and natural gas by the end of the year.