Australia has said that its collaboration with India is at the core of its strategy to ensuring the Indo-Pacific region stays open, inclusive, and resilient ahead of the “2+2” ministerial conversation between the two nations on Monday. Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles said, “India is a top-tier security partner for Australia and our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is one of practical, tangible actions that directly benefit the IndoPacific region.”
“A number of firsts in our defence relationship this year, such as the visit of an Indian submarine to Perth and the hosting of Exercise Malabar by Australia, show the growing closeness of our defence and security partnership,” the speaker said. Tomorrow in New Delhi, Mr. Marles and Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs Penny Wong will have a “2+2” ministerial conversation with Indian Ministers of Defence Rajnath Singh and External Affairs S Jaishankar. The Australian government stated in a statement that there has never been more significance in the relationship between Australia and India.
It also said, “As Quad partners and beyond, we are collaborating through our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to advance a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.” According to Canberra, the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue is a pillar of the two countries’ bilateral relationship and a chance to further their joint efforts to create the kind of region they both want. The ministers from both parties will work to further collaboration in areas like as technology, renewable energy, security, and defense that are important to them both regionally.
Strengthening commercial and investment links will also be on their agenda. The two sides will talk about how to further the defense partnership between Australia and India as well as the common issues the area faces. In addition, Australian Foreign Minister Wong will have the annual Australia-India Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue with her colleague, Jaishankar. “The India–Australia partnership is central to the stability and prosperity of our shared region,” said Ms. Wong in the meanwhile.
“Australia is committed to partnering with India more closely for the benefit of our region, in the Indian Ocean, in Southeast Asia, and in the Pacific, along with our deepening defense and security cooperation.”
