Australia's relationship with India grows stronger amid China trade war

Anthony Albanese joked and laughed as he met the Indian prime minister in a sign of strengthening ties between the two countries as tensions linger with China. Mr Albanese cracked a joke that Mr Modi was now 'president and prime minister' with India to host the G20 presidency next year. Mr Albanese made it a point to mend the relationship and end years of tensions with their meeting marking the first time in six years leaders from both countries sat down. Mr Albanese later tweeted about their latest meeting and the strengthening of ties between Australia and the world's fifth-largest economy. The prime ministers will meet again when Mr Albanese visits India in March and Mr Modi visits Australia for the Quad Leader's Summit. Australia hosted Indian ministers nine times this year, prompting External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar to say he saw relationships improving 'in front of my eyes'. China's $20 billion trade sanctions on Australia remain and Mr Albanese has not revealed whether there have been discussions about sending a diplomatic delegation to Beijing.