Canberra, August 13, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for bringing a strong national-interest orientation and pragmatic approach to India’s foreign policy, while crediting External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar with effectively advancing that vision.
In an interview with Italian-Indian entrepreneur and analyst Vas Shenoy for the Indo-Mediterranean Dialogues, Morrison reflected on the evolution of Indian foreign policy as India prepares to celebrate its 80th Independence Day on Saturday.
Morrison said India was increasingly focused on realising its potential while allowing national interests to guide its engagement with other countries.
“Prime Minister Modi has brought a very strong national-interest focus and a very practical focus to India’s foreign policy. Dr Jaishankar has been an able lieutenant in that process and incredibly industrious in following through on that leadership,” Morrison said.
He said India’s closer engagement with the United States, Australia, Japan, South Korea and other countries did not come at the expense of its existing relationships. According to Morrison, Modi had demonstrated a willingness to engage with any country when doing so served India’s national interests.
Morrison, who served as Australian Prime Minister from 2018 to 2022, also highlighted opportunities for India in areas such as the economy, technology and space. He predicted that India could become a major space power over the next two to three decades as its space economy develops.
On the Quad grouping of India, Australia, Japan and the United States, Morrison said India’s continued participation was critical to its success. He argued that the grouping should place greater emphasis on maritime security across the Indo-Pacific, particularly the Indian Ocean region.
He said US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his deputy were aware of the Quad’s strategic importance and had supported a stronger security focus. Morrison noted that the security dimension of the grouping had received renewed attention soon after the US administration took office and said the foreign ministers had been making progress.
While noting that a Quad leaders’ meeting had yet to take place, Morrison welcomed the recent visits of the Indian and Japanese prime ministers to Australia.
Recalling his interaction with Modi, Morrison said they had discussed developments in the Indo-Pacific and described the Indian Prime Minister as being deeply engaged with regional issues.
He also termed the Indo-Pacific the geopolitical centre of the world, saying European companies needed a deeper understanding of the region’s security and economic challenges as well as its opportunities.
Morrison said India and Australia could serve as important platforms for European engagement with the region, alongside Japan, South Korea and other countries.
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