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Albanese, Sunak take hilarious jab at rival Ashes teams

After England’s loss at Lord’s, Ben Stokes, the English skipper said that though Bairstow was run out, he would not like to win the game in the manner the Aussies had done…reports Asian Lite News

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese engaged in some fun cricket banter on the sidelines of a NATO summit in Lithuanian capital city Vilnius with each leader taking hilarious jibes at the rival country’s cricketing team.

“I am sorry, I did not bring my sandpaper with me,” Sunak told Alabanese on the sidelines of an event sending people in the room into peals of laughter. The ribbing between Sunak and Albanese had begun during the second Test of the Ashes series that was held at Lord’s in London following the controversial run out of England batter Jonny Bairstow by Alex Carey.

As the two leaders met in Vilinus, Albanese produced a picture of Bairstow’s controversial run-out to poke fun at the England team. The Australian PM also showed a piece of paper with the current score 2-1 to indicate Australia’s current lead in the Ashes.

To this Sunak showed a picture of England players Chris Woakes and Mark Wood hugging after the match-winning shot at Headingley during the third Test. He also made a reference to the 2018 Ball-Tampering Scandal, also known as the ‘Sandpaper Gate’, in which then-Australia captain Steve Smith, vice-captain David Warner and batter Cameron Bancroft received heavy sanctions from Cricket Australia for their involvement in ball tampering.

“I am sorry, I did not bring my sandpaper with me,” said Sunak.

After England’s loss at Lord’s, Ben Stokes, the English skipper said that though Bairstow was run out, he would not like to win the game in the manner the Aussies had done.

“I am not disputing the fact it is out because it is out. If the shoe was on the other foot I would have put more pressure on the umpires and asked whether they had called over and had a deep think about the whole spirit of the game and would I want to do something like that. For Australia, it was the match-winning moment. Would I want to win a game in that manner? The answer for me is no,” Stokes had said after the game.

After the game, Sunak in a statement said, “The prime minister agrees with Ben Stokes. He said he simply would not want to win a game in the manner Australia did.”

Following this, Albanese celebrated Australia’s win in the men’s and women’s Ashes on Twitter.

“I’m proud of our men’s and women’s cricket teams, who have both won their opening two #Ashes matches against England. Same old Aussies – always winning! Australia is right behind @ahealy77, @patcummins30 and their teams and look forward to welcoming them home victorious,” Albanese had tweeted.

Australia is currently leading the series 2-1 and the fourth Test will be played at Manchester from July 19 onwards. (ANI)

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Sunak, Biden, Albanese to finalise AUKUS deal

PM pledges to increase defence spending by nearly £5bn over the next two years to counter emerging threats…reports Asian Lite News

Rishi Sunak has hailed the UK’s global alliances as its “greatest source of strength and security” as he prepared to meet Joe Biden to flesh out a major defence deal.

The prime minister is flying to San Diego on Sunday to discuss nuclear-powered submarines with the US President and Australian premier Anthony Albanese.

UK ministers have high hopes that Albanese will announce the purchase of a British-designed fleet. The UK, US and Australia agreed the AUKUS pact in 2021 to boost their defences and share nuclear submarine secrets at a time of growing concern over China.

While on the US west coast on Monday, Sunak is also set to unveil the new integrated review of defence and foreign policy, which was being updated in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The refreshed review will set out the UK’s approach to threats from Moscow and an increasingly assertive China.

Ahead of his trip, the prime minister said: “In turbulent times, the UK’s global alliances are our greatest source of strength and security.

“I am travelling to the United States today to launch the next stage of the AUKUS nuclear submarine programme, a project which is binding ties to our closest allies and delivering security, new technology and economic advantage at home. As we launch the 2023 Integrated Review Refresh tomorrow, this is the future we want to deliver – a UK that is secure, prosperous and standing shoulder-to-shoulder with our partners.”

The prime minister also held a call with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg ahead of his flight to the US.

Sunak briefed the alliance chief on the UK’s upcoming defence review and reaffirmed the UK’s intention to remain a leading contributor to NATO.

Sunak announces £5bn extra defence spending

Rishi Sunak has pledged to increase defence spending by nearly £5bn over the next two years to counter emerging threats from hostile states.

The funding boost will be confirmed in a new UK foreign and security strategy, to be published on Monday.

It comes ahead of talks between the prime minister and his US and Australian counterparts in California.

The trio are set to agree details of a UK-US pact to supply Australia with nuclear-powered submarines.

The agreement, known as the Aukus pact, was signed in 2021 as part of a joint effort to counter Chinese military power in the Indo-Pacific region.

Reports have suggested Australia could opt to build a modified version of the British Astute-class submarine, while taking delivery of up to five US Virginia-class submarines during the production stage.

Downing Street said £3bn from the extra spending would be earmarked to support the pact, along with boosting industrial infrastructure and servicing UK submarines.

The remaining £1.9bn will be used to replace weapons sent to Ukraine and improve the UK’s munitions infrastructure.

Of the new money, £1.98bn will be spent this year and £2.97bn next year, with defence spending then reviewed again after 2025.

Spending after this date would be assessed against a target to increase defence spending to 2.5% of national income in the “longer term”, No 10 said, without specifying a timeframe.

Sunak’s short-lived predecessor Liz Truss had committed to spend 3% of GDP on defence by 2030 – but the prime minister has stepped back from that pledge.

A new version of the so-called Integrated Review will be published on Monday, replacing the first version of the security strategy document unveiled under Boris Johnson in 2021.

The update was ordered by Ms Truss in September last year to take account of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Downing Street said the new strategy would take account of an increased security risk posed by Moscow, as well as “increasingly concerning” military, financial and diplomatic activity by China.

It is expected to confirm extra funding for Mandarin language training and diplomatic expertise on China, as well as a new approach to guaranteeing UK access to minerals critical to new industries.

The document will also outline details of a new training curriculum for security officials, as well as a unit within MI5 to offer security advice to businesses and other organisations.

Speaking ahead of the document’s release, Sunak said the increased defence spending would help the UK “stand our ground” in an increasingly “volatile” world.

“We have seen all too clearly in the last year how global crises impact us at home, with Russia’s appalling invasion of Ukraine driving up energy and food prices,” he told reporters on the plane taking him to the meeting in the US.

“We will fortify our national defences, from economic security to technology supply chains and intelligence expertise, to ensure we are never again vulnerable to the actions of a hostile power.”

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Albanese calls India top-tier security partner

The two leaders took a lap around the stadium on a specially designed chariot to mark the occasion. Australian PM compared the cricket match with the burgeoning bilateral ties between India and Australia…reports Asian Lite News

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called India a “top-tier security partner” for Australia. He said that his visit to India reflects his government’s commitment to place India at the heart of Australia’s approach to both Pacific and beyond. He made the remarks after boarding India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, in Mumbai.

“For Australia, India is a top-tier security partner. The Indian Ocean is central to both countries’ security and prosperity. And there has never been a point in our country’s history where we’ve had such a strong strategic alignment which has been reinforced by my current visit to India and will be reinforced further by Prime Minister Modi’s attendance at the Quad leaders meeting,” the Australian PM said. Albanese further said, “In a short period of time, we both depend on free and open access to sea lanes in the Indo-Pacific for our trade and for our economic well-being. And we share an unwavering commitment to upholding the rules-based international order and ensuring the Indo-Pacific is open, inclusive and prosperous.”

Albanese sat inside the fighter jet while officers of the Indian Navy shared details regarding INS Vikrant. He also announced that Australia will host Exercise Malabar for the first time. He further said that India will also participate in Australia’s ‘Talisman Sabre’ exercise for the first time in August. He called it a “great privilege” to welcome Indian Navy to Australia in August.

“I am pleased to announce formally aboard the magnificent INS Vikrant that later this year Australia will host ‘Exercise Malabar’ for the very first time,” the Australian PM said.

“I’m very honoured to be here today on the newly commissioned Indian-designed and manufactured INS Vikrant, my visit reflects my government’s commitment to place India at the heart of Australia’s approach to India both Pacific and beyond. Whilst here, I have had the great pleasure of meeting with the talented and highly professional men and women of India’s Navy. what lifts defence relationships to new levels is the resolve and foresight of those who see the relationship not just for what it is, but for what it could be. One such person is my friend, Prime Minister Modi,” Albanese said while interacting with mediapersons after boarding INS Vikrant.

In his remarks, the Australian PM thanked PM Modi for his “dedication to driving forward our defence and security partnership which is of increasing strategic importance as we navigate the challenges of our region together.” He noted that both nations share an unwavering commitment to rules-based international order.

“For the first time in November, we conducted complex and sophisticated exercises in IndoPacific endeavour and Exercise Ostrahund. This was capped off by Exercise Malabar where we bolstered our military interoperability with India alongside close partners Japan and the United States,” Albanese said.

“More important than these statistics is the sheer complexity and high-end nature of our military engagements which is unprecedented. I predict that 2023 will be busier than ever for our defence cooperation,” he added.

Albanese also spoke about the inaugural Australia-India General Rawat Defence Officer Exchange Program which is currently taking place in India. He said, “This pioneering exchange program created by Prime Minister Modi will ensure our defence personnel develop the familiarity and trust that underpins a close and long-lasting relationship.” His visit to INS Vikrant marks the celebration of 75 years of friendship between India and Australia.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Albanese watched the first day of the final test match of the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2023 in the Narendra Modi stadium. PM Modi welcomed his Australian counterpart at the venue.

Both the prime ministers were greeted with loud cheers before the start of the match as they took a lap of honour across the massive sports arena to celebrate 75 years of friendship between India and Australia. A special coin, minted to mark the occasion, was used at the toss.

The two leaders took a lap around the stadium on a specially designed chariot to mark the occasion. Australian PM compared the cricket match with the burgeoning bilateral ties between India and Australia.

After leaving the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, PM Albanese tweeted, “As two cricket-loving nations, Australia and India share a fierce but friendly rivalry. At the heart of this contest is genuine respect, reflecting the affection and friendship between our people.”

“On the field, Australia and India are competing to be the best in the world. Off the field, we are co-operating to build a better world. Prime Minister @narendramodi and I had the honour of opening the fourth test in Gujarat today. Good luck to all the players (but go Australia!),” Albanese further added.

Meanwhile, PM Modi tweeted, “Cricket, a common passion in India and Australia! Glad to be in Ahmedabad with my good friend, PM @AlboMP to witness parts of the India-Australia Test Match. I am sure it will be an exciting game!”

After his engagements in Mumbai and Ahmedabad, Anthony Albanese arrived in Delhi for discussions on taking forward the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Arindam Bagchi stated in a tweet. Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Renuka Singh received Albanese at the airport in Delhi.

Arindam Bagchi in a tweet wrote, “Welcome to Delhi, PM @AlboMP! After a series of engagements in Ahmedabad & Mumbai, PM @AlboMP of Australia arrives in New Delhi for discussions on taking forward the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Received by MoS @TribalAffairsIn@renukasinghbjp at the airport.” (ANI)

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