New Delhi: The second India-Australia Two plus Two Dialogue was held in New Delhi last evening. Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar co chaired the 2 plus 2 Dialogue with Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles and Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong.
The Ministers exchanged views on deepening multifaceted India-Australia ties in several areas. These include defence and security, trade and investment, critical minerals, energy, climate change, Science and Technology, space, education and people to people linkages. Regional and global issues were also discussed. Both sides also exchanged views on shared priorities for strengthening minilateral and multilateral cooperation.
In his opening remarks, the External Affairs Minister said that this has been an exceptional year for
India-Australia relationship. He said that the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement entered into force last December and its economic implications are unfolding this year. He added that there is a million-strong Indian community and over a hundred thousand Indian students who form a living bridge between the two countries.
Dr Jaishankar pointed out that the bilateral relationship has grown rapidly but it has larger implications for the region. He said a lot of other countries look to India and Australia and the bilateral relationship as a factor of stability and security. He highlighted that India and Australia's partnership in the Quad format has been beneficial for the Indo-Pacific Region.
The inaugural India-Australia 2 plus 2 Ministerial Dialogue was held on 11 September 2021.