The Indo-Pacific, in particular, will benefit from the fruits of India-Australia collaboration, he said

India-Australia relations have shifted gears and moved into a higher orbit, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Tuesday.

Addressing the Australia-India Leadership Dialogue 2022 virtually, he pointed out that the transformation has been the sharpest in the realm of politics and strategy.

According to EAM Jaishankar, much of the growing convergence has been driven by concerns about the region’s stability, prosperity and security. In this context, he noted how a "stronger leadership and more open exchanges" have brought out the mutual benefits of closer cooperation and coordination.

"The big change has been the realization that a stronger bilateral relationship today allows the two nations to contribute much more effectively at a regional and at a global level," he added. Greater political confidence and stronger defence cooperation have also contributed to the participation of Australia in Exercise Malabar 2020, he emphasized.

"The new intensity in the interactions have been on visible display from the leadership level downwards," EAM Jaishankar noted.

The India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership now covers an annual meeting of Prime Ministers, a Foreign Minister’s Dialogue, a 2+2 Defence and Foreign Ministers meeting, a Trade Ministerial Commission, an Education Council, an Energy Dialogue and sectoral Working Groups, he said.

According to EAM Jaishankar, as with any important relationship, there is a larger context for its growth and deepening.

"The Indo-Pacific, in particular, will benefit from the fruits of our collaboration. The Quad, on its part has emerged as a key platform for ensuring progress, prosperity, stability and security. We are also engaged in advancing the realization of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework. And trilaterally, along with Japan, we are working on promoting supply chain resilience," he pointed out.

During his address, EAM Jaishankar also made the following points:

  • A trade of US$20 billion plus and investments at the US$25 billion level stand to rapidly expand by the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement that was concluded in April 2022.

  • Australia is a major educational destination for Indian students, who number in excess of 100,000.

  • The Indian community, estimated at 720,000, is a source of strength for both societies.