In his Republic Day message for the Indian community living in Australia, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said: "It is a wonderful coincidence of history that Australia and India share 26 January as our national day."
"Our shared history is long, and our connections are many. We are friends and natural partners – and each year we draw even closer."
This year our nations have responded to a global pandemic. This has meant the free flow of peoples between our two countries is not what it traditionally has been
"However, I want to assure you that Australia longs for when we can welcome our Indian friends, family and students back to our shores. Like you, we look forward to the day when we can move more freely and we are safely on the other side of the pandemic," the prime minister said in his statement.
Here is the full statement released by Mr Morrison on India's Republic Day.
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India and Australia shares January 26th as a national day Source: Supplied