India-Australia Talks: India and Australia on Monday (November 20) talked about a range of issues including enhancing defense cooperation, strategic ties in areas like critical minerals, trade and investment. During the two plus two ministerial talks, Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar said that economic cooperation between the two countries is increasing.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar was present on behalf of India in the two plus two ministerial talks. In this, both of them met Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles and Foreign Minister Penny Wong and discussed.
Foreign Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar said, "This has been an extraordinary year for our relations. The Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) came into force last December and its economic effects are becoming apparent this year. We can see today that the Indian community of more than one million and more than 100,000 Indian students form a vibrant bridge between the two countries.”
What did Australia say?
Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said, "Both countries share history. We share democratic traditions. We share the rule of law and freedom of expression. China is the biggest trading partner for both of us, from the security point of view China is our biggest concern. We share an ocean and there has never been a more important time for both countries to work together. We look forward to talking more about ways of cooperation and diplomatic cooperation in the maritime sector."
#WATCH Delhi: During the India-Australia 2+2 Defense and Foreign Ministerial Dialogue, Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles said, "Both countries share history. We share democratic traditions. We share the rule of law and freedom of expression… pic.twitter.com/U41UrmHbeA
— ANI_HindiNews (@AHindinews) November 20, 2023
What is the agenda?
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, “Minister of Defense and Security, Trade and Investment, Critical Minerals, Energy, Climate Change, Science and Technology, Space, Multidimensional including education and people-to-people relations India-Australia will exchange views on deepening relations. Regional and global issues are also on the agenda.”