EAM Jaishankar highlights growing and deepening engagement between India and Australia
There is a real momentum in the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Tuesday (November 21, 2023) after extensive discussions with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong in New Delhi.
 
He was speaking at a joint press conference after the two met for the 14th India-Australia Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue.
 
"Concluded the 14th India-Australia Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue with FM @SenatorWong. 
 
The India-Australia strategic partnership is making great strides. Our frequent high level engagements, growing trade, investment and economic cooperation and robust people to people ties are big contributors. 
 
Discussed our close collaboration in trilateral, quadrilateral and multilateral formats. Also exchanged perspectives on our regions, Indo-Pacific and West Asia," EAM Jaishankar posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
 
During the press conference, he referred to many firsts in the India-Australia relationship this year, including:
 
1. The first Annual Summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
 
2. A new beginning with the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
 
3. First year of the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) entering into force.  
 
4. Opening of an Australian consulate in Bengaluru and an Indian consulate in Brisbane.
 
5. Opening of the first Australian University campuses in India.
 
During their meeting, the two ministers also:
 
1. Highlighted the importance of moving ahead with the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA).
 
2. Discussed the way forward for greater mobility of students and professionals.
 
3. Committed to building more trusted, reliable, and resilient supply chains in the Indo-Pacific for broader and inclusive growth.
 
The two sides had extensive discussions on security issues as part of the 2+2 talks and the Foreign Ministers' dialogue. The Ministers also spoke about terrorism, extremism, and radicalism. They also discussed the current situation in West Asia, South Asia, and the Indo-Pacific Region. 
 
According to EAM Jaishankar, India and Australia will continue to work towards a rules-based international order. "We seek to promote connectivity, growth, and security for all while respecting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all states," he remarked.
 
"We discussed our work in the Indian Ocean Region and how we can collaborate on shared challenges like climate change, maritime security, and health of the oceans," said Foreign Minister Wong.
 
She also announced that Australia will host the Indian Ocean Conference in Perth in February next year. The meet will provide an opportunity to discuss the key challenges facing the region.
 
The two foreign ministers, along with Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles, earlier met for the second 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue. 
 
Pointing out that India had a 2+2 framework with select countries, EAM Jaishankar said, "It is reflective of the growing and deepening engagement between our two countries".