New Delhi: On Wednesday, Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with Australia's Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, Richard Marles. The two leaders attended the celebration of the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership's fifth anniversary in New Delhi.
The EAM posted on X, expressing his joy at meeting with DPM and Defence Minister @RichardMarlesMP this evening in New Delhi. His attendance here now to commemorate the fifth anniversary of India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership demonstrates the great achievements our countries have made. We discussed the condition of the world and our views on a number of important issues of mutual concern.
In another message on X, EAM Jaishankar stated, Happy to join DPM and Defence Minister @RichardMarlesMP at the Australian High Commission today to commemorate five years of our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
In his speech during the function, EAM Jaishankar complimented Marles and his colleagues on their outstanding election victory. He stated, We really appreciate your trip to India in the early days of your second term, just as you did when your first term began.
He highlighted the remarkable expansion of India-Australia relations in the last five years, claiming that the relationship has changed in numerous ways.
A decade ago, if I had stood here and told you that Australia would be one of our closest political allies, our strongest security partners, a country with whom we would have a Free Trade Agreement, and whose University would be among the first to establish an office in India, you would not have believed me. In fact, if I had told you that we would have many other topics to discuss besides cricket, I doubt any of you would have believed me. And yet, here we are, not just with a changed relationship, but also celebrating five years of the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. And the reason for that—the 'Mateship' or 'Dosti'—is the strong leadership demonstrated by both countries, as well as trust and mutual respect. Today, the Deputy Prime Minister reaffirmed the strong sense of unity and support we felt in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terrorist attack, and I recall that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, despite being in the middle of a very hectic election campaign, reached out and called Prime Minister Modi to express those sentiments.
Jaishanker described numerous mechanisms established between the two countries to improve and diversify collaboration.
We have instituted the custom of Annual Summits; in fact, I believe the last several years have seen more encounters between our Prime Ministers than maybe in the previous 80 years combined. We have our 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministers' Dialogue, the Foreign Ministers' Framework Dialogue, and a Joint Commission for Trade, Skills, Education, and Energy. So, when we talk about a strategic partnership today—a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership—these are more than just words. These are essentially the intensification of our collaboration across so many sectors, which are being demonstrated so fruitfully and, in a way, on the ground. I mentioned the ECTA Trade Agreement, but we also have a Mobility and Migration Partnership, the Work and Holiday Visa Program, the MATES Program, the Mutual Recognition of Educational Qualifications, and, of course, as the Deputy Prime Minister stated, a real transformation in areas such as defence. I would even highlight energy as another example. And not least, we now have a million-strong Indian Australian community, which is a genuinely unique link between us.
In his closing words, Jaishankar reaffirmed India's firm commitment to raising the relationship to new heights.
He mentioned possible areas of cooperation. I am here today to reiterate my unwavering commitment to taking this relationship to even greater heights, to explore areas such as critical minerals, cyber, technology, space, and sports as possible areas for collaboration, and to work on mechanisms such as the Quad, but also the East Asia Summit platforms, the Indian Ocean Rim Association, the United Nations, and even the trilateral grouping that we have with France.
Jaishanker expressed optimism on the great five years, stating, "I believe these have been five wonderful years in our relationship. " There are many more to come.
