India, Australia to work closely in Quad, G20

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and his Australian counterpart Senator Penny Wong on Monday held dialogue and agreed to work closely in Quad, trilaterals, G20, UN and other important forums.

“Just concluded the 13th Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue with my Australian colleague FM Senator Wong. Took stock of the steady progress of our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, including important Ministerial visits in recent months,” the External Affairs Minister wrote on Twitter.

“Discussed ECTA progress; defence; counter terrorism; mobility of talent & skills, education; double taxation avoidance; critical minerals; cyber; clean energy and SDGs,” the EAM added in thread.

“Exchanged views on global and regional developments, recognizing our strong convergences and shared interests… Agreed to work closely together in Quad, trilaterals, G20, UN and other important forums,” Jaishankar added.

“Australia and India are Comprehensive Strategic Partners, we are Quad partners and most fundamentally, we share the Indo-Pacific region. We have a shared interest and a shared ambition in a stable and prosperous region where sovereignty is respected,” Australian Foreign Minister said in a statement.

For Australia, our partnership with India is a critical part of shaping the region we want, Wong added.

The two ministers discussed accelerating and deepening economic ties, including through our Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement.

“We also discussed strengthening our people to people ties and education links, reinforcing our defence and security cooperation and enhancing our climate change and new clean energy engagement, including through the Quad,” Wong added.

The two ministers agreed to expand diplomatic footprints, with Australia recommitting to open a Consulate-General in Bengaluru, and India planning an additional consulate in Australia.

I look forward to our continued engagement as we build and sustain our partnership and region, the Australian Foreign Minister concluded.