India's External Affairs minister S Jaishankar said Australia has been an early and vigorous supporter of India's Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) and the Indo-pacific region will benefit from the strong bilateral relationship between the two countries which allows them to contribute effectively at a regional and global level.
Jaishankar's remarks came while he was virtually addressing the fifth edition of the Australia-India Leadership Dialogue 2022, along with the Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, where the EAM touched upon various topics related to Australia-India friendship. He said that the leadership dialogue is taking place as India-Australia relations have shifted gears and moved into a higher orbit.
"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," he said.
"The deficit in global goods has sought to be addressed by India and Australia working together bilaterally as well as in larger formats. This reflects their shared concerns about respect for international law and a rules-based order. The two countries may have long interacted in ASEAN-led forums, Commonwealth, Indian Ocean Rim Association, etc. But stronger leadership and more open exchanges have brought out the mutual benefits of closer cooperation and coordination," the minister added.
He said," It is equally notable that our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership now covers an annual meeting of PMs, 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."
"In recent months, we have produced agreements ranging from maritime collaboration, defence science exchanges, and mutual logistics support to cooperation in cyber-enabled critical technology, critical and strategic minerals, water resources management, vocational education and training, as well as public administration and governance."
"These milestones bring out the interactive dynamic between the bilateral and the regional facets of our cooperation," Jaishankar added.
He lastly said that the two countries share a deep friendship, which has been largely on display this year. During the celebrations of India@75, more than 40 buildings and monuments in Australia, including the magnificent Sydney Opera House, were lit up in the colours of our Tiranga (national flag).
(ANI)