External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar has begun a significant two-nation visit, starting with his arrival in Brisbane, Australia, on Sunday. This visit marks an essential step in advancing India’s diplomatic ties with both Australia and Singapore, with his tour scheduled from November 3 to November 8.
During this period, Jaishankar will focus on strengthening relationships across various domains, from diplomacy and trade to education and security.
Upon his arrival in Brisbane, Jaishankar expressed his enthusiasm on social media, posting “Namaste Australia! Landed in Brisbane today.
Look forward to productive engagements over the next few days to take forward the India-Australia Dosti.” This statement reflects India’s commitment to fostering friendly relations and expanding partnerships with Australia, particularly across the Indo-Pacific region, where both countries have shared interests and common challenges.
One of the key events in Jaishankar’s Australian itinerary is the inauguration of India’s fourth consulate. This new consulate is expected to enhance India’s diplomatic presence in Australia, making it easier to assist the Indian diaspora and foster deeper engagement between the two nations.
This move aligns with India’s broader diplomatic efforts to strengthen ties with countries in the Asia-Pacific region and ensure smoother connectivity for Indian nationals abroad.
Following his engagements in Brisbane, EAM Jaishankar will travel to Canberra to co-chair the 15th Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue (FMFD) with his Australian counterpart, Penny Wong. This meeting provides an essential platform for the two leaders to discuss ways to reinforce bilateral relations.
The dialogue is expected to focus on key areas of mutual interest, such as regional security, economic cooperation, and educational collaboration. Discussions around security in the Indo-Pacific are particularly significant, given the current geopolitical landscape and the shared goals of India and Australia in promoting a free and open region.
Jaishankar and Wong have a history of close cooperation, having met in Tokyo earlier this year on the sidelines of the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. During that meeting, Jaishankar expressed India’s commitment to enhancing its partnership with Australia in security, trade, and education.
This ongoing dialogue reflects the strong foundation of trust and collaboration between the two countries, which is set to be further solidified during the current visit.
In addition to diplomatic meetings, Jaishankar will deliver the keynote address at the second Raisina Down Under conference, a significant event organised in partnership with the Australian Strategic Policy Institute.
This conference, held at the Australian Parliament House, provides a valuable forum for discussing global and regional issues and reinforcing India-Australia relations. Jaishankar’s address is expected to focus on pressing issues in the Indo-Pacific and highlight India’s perspectives on security, economic growth, and regional cooperation.
Beyond formal government meetings, EAM Jaishankar’s schedule includes interactions with various Australian leaders, parliamentarians, and representatives of the Indian diaspora.
He will also engage with business leaders, media professionals, and members of think tanks, ensuring that discussions around India-Australia relations cover a broad spectrum of sectors.
These engagements will help strengthen India’s influence and connectivity within Australian society and facilitate further opportunities for collaboration in diverse fields.
Following his visit to Australia, Jaishankar will continue his journey to Singapore on November 8. In Singapore, he is set to participate in the 8th Roundtable of the ASEAN-India Network of Think Tanks.
This roundtable serves as a crucial forum for discussing and developing policies that enhance ASEAN-India relations, a partnership that has gained momentum in recent years. India’s active participation in ASEAN initiatives underscores its commitment to Southeast Asia’s stability and prosperity.
While in Singapore, Jaishankar is also expected to meet with key members of Singapore’s leadership. These meetings will focus on reviewing the existing partnership between India and Singapore and exploring ways to elevate their collaboration further.
With Singapore being one of India’s most important economic and strategic partners in Southeast Asia, these discussions are expected to centre around trade, investment, and technological cooperation.
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