Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that the convergence in the understanding of, and approach to, the geo-strategic environment, particularly in their common Indo-Pacific region, is a driving force of the India-Australia relationship.
Jaishankar made the remarks during his virtual address at the 6th Australia India Leadership Dialogue (AILD), a key Track 1.5 engagement being hosted in Melbourne. AILD will bring together over 100 influential leaders from the areas of business, academia, and government with the intent of shaping the trajectory of deepening ties between India and Australia.
My remarks at the Australia-India Leadership Dialogue 2023 pic.twitter.com/vmxEDyVfXC
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) November 24, 2023
Secure and Prosperous Indo-Pacific
“There are so many challenges and opportunities that India and Australia are addressing jointly,” the EAM said. He said that in this complicated world, it is the trust between like-minded partners such as India and Australia, along with others, that is helping efforts to “secure a free, open, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific region along with a rules-based international order.”
“As strong democracies and dynamic economies of the Indo-Pacific, we can make a difference through our cooperation on a practical, progressive and sustainable agenda. Together, that makes us a force for global good,” Jaishankar highlighted.
Defence, Trade, People-to-People Ties
“India and Australia share a deep friendship, and this year has turned out to be a defining one for our dosti (friendship),” Jaishankar remarked. Jaishankar said that engagements between India and Australia extend from sea to space. He mentioned that the ties between the two nations cover all possible areas, including defence and security, cyber and critical technology, trade and economics, science, education and people-to-people ties.
Jaishankar listed the first Annual Leaders’ Summit, two visits to India by the Australian PM and the signing of the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) as major achievements in the bilateral ties this year. The EAM highlighted that the two countries witnessed record-high bilateral trade, the signing of agreements on mobility and mutual recognition of educational qualifications, the establishment of a Little India in Sydney and the opening of new Consulates General in Bengaluru and Brisbane over the last year.
Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
The EAM mentioned that the two countries announced the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) in 2020. He said India and Australia have achieved a major rise in the level and frequency of engagement in such a short time frame. “Conviction and continuity among the political leadership, backed by an equally strong popular support, will surely make this 21st-century partnership succeed,” Jaishankar added.
He listed the Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue, the 2+2 ministerial meeting, the Trade Ministers Commission, the Education and Skills Council, the CEOs Forum, the Renewable Energy Partnership and several subject-specific Working Groups as features of the wide-ranging CSP. He noted that there is far more potential for the actual integration of the two nations’ economies and businesses and for creating new supply chains.