The visit reflects mutual commitment to further deepen the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, states MEA
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar has wrapped up a productive five-day visit to Australia which saw a series of high-level interactions aimed at further deepening the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. That the visit from November 3-7, 2024 was his fifth visit to Australia in less than three years and the second in 2024 reflects the importance India attaches to its relationship with Australia.

During his visit, EAM Jaishankar called on Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Discussions at the meeting centred around bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest. He also met Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles and Leader of Opposition Peter Dutton in addition to having interactions with members of the Parliamentary Friends of India in Canberra.

A high point of the visit was the 15th Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue (FMFD) which EAM Jaishankar co-chaired with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong on 5 November 2024 in Canberra. 

“The meeting provided both sides with the opportunity to review the entire gamut of bilateral relations, including political and strategic, defence and security, trade and investments, education and mobility,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday (November 7, 2024). Both sides also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.

In keeping with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement during his visit to Sydney in May 2024, EAM Jaishankar inaugurated the Consulate General of India in Brisbane, in the presence of Queensland Governor Jeanette Young. 

On November 5, 2024, EAM Jaishankar delivered the Keynote Address at the inaugural session of the 2nd Raisina Down Under organised by Observer Research Foundation (ORF) and the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) in Canberra. A trilateral session was also held with EAM S Jaishankar, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of New Zealand Winston Peters.

A bilateral meeting was later held with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of New Zealand Peters in Canberra on the sidelines of the 2nd Raisina Down Under on November 6, 2024 in Canberra. “The Ministers discussed bilateral cooperation, especially in the areas of education, technology, agriculture, dairy and people-to-people ties, as well as regional and global issues of mutual interest,” the MEA said.

“The visit was in continuation of the regular high-level contacts between the two sides and reflects mutual commitment to further deepen the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” the MEA stated.