Canberra [Australia], November 19 (ANI): Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong will arrive in India on Wednesday for the 16th Australia–India Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue, marking her 26th meeting with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
During the visit, both leaders are expected to discuss cooperation across a wide range of areas, including cyber and strategic technologies, trade, maritime security, defence, sports, and people-to-people ties.
In an official statement, Wong said, “Australia and India have never been closer and our partnership never more consequential — it is crucial for us and crucial for the region in a sharper and more competitive world.” She added that her visit continues the strong momentum of recent engagements between the two countries and reflects the Albanese government’s commitment to deepening relationships and building resilience.
Wong emphasized that collaboration under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership demonstrates the growing alignment and shared vision for a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. “I look forward to discussions with my counterpart and friend, Minister for External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar, to set the course for an even more ambitious, future-focused agenda, as our partnership enters its next phase,” she said.
The Australian minister noted that both countries are working together bilaterally, through the Quad, and within multilateral institutions to advance shared security and economic goals.
This high-level engagement follows Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s visit to Australia in October, during which he held delegation-level talks with Wong and met Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The Australian leader highlighted that the defence partnership between the two nations is built on trust, shared interests, and a joint commitment to a peaceful and secure Indo-Pacific.
During Singh’s visit, India and Australia signed several key defence agreements. Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles described the newly concluded defence pact as a “hugely significant step” toward strengthening operational cooperation between their armed forces.
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