Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong arrived in New Delhi on Monday to participate in the second India-Australia 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue. The discussions are expected to cover bilateral, and global issues, aiming to advance cooperation under the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Wong will also hold the 14th Foreign Ministerial Framework Dialogue (FMFD) on Tuesday with External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar. Under this framework, the two sides will take stock of bilateral cooperation under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.
Before Tuesday’s meeting, Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh and EAM Jaishankar will today hold the second India-Australia 2+2 with Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles and Foreign Minister Wong. Richard Marles, who arrived early in India, witnessed Australia’s World Cup final win over India in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
A warm welcome to FM @SenatorWong of Australia as she arrives in New Delhi to co-chair the 2nd – 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue and the 14th Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue.A rich agenda of discussion covering various facets of – partnership awaits. pic.twitter.com/J0a20c3VXI
— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) November 20, 2023
In an earlier statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the two countries are expected to discuss a wide range of strategic, defence and security issues. “These discussions would cover bilateral, regional and global matters of mutual interest, to further advance cooperation under the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” the MEA said.
It said both sides will also exchange views on shared priorities for strengthening minilateral and multilateral cooperation. Raksha Mantri is also scheduled to have a bilateral meeting with Australia’s Deputy PM Marles who had last visited India in June last year within a few weeks of assuming his present office.
The inaugural India-Australia 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue was held in September 2021 in New Delhi pursuant to the elevation of the Strategic Partnership to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during the first Virtual Summit held on 4 June 2020.
In a statement, the Australian government said, “The Australia–India relationship has never been more consequential. We are working together through our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, as Quad partners and beyond to promote a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.” “The 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue is a cornerstone of our relationship and an opportunity to progress our work together to shape the type of region we want,” it added.
