Indian External Affairs Minister Jaishankar speaks of Indian presence in Australia

Addressing the Indian community here, Minister Jaishankar started by highlighting how it was under Prime Minister Narendra Modi that a “new energy, this new interest, which has come into our foreign policy,” compared it with how it used to be in earlier years and said, “It took us 20 years after independence to have the first Prime Ministerial visit to Australia” and how every Prime Minister of Australia, since 2014, has met with Modi, reported news18.com.

Underscoring the “new energy and new interest” into India’s foreign policy, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on February 10 pointed towards the fast paced growth in trade and investment relationship between India and Australia as reflected in the increased presence of the Indian community in this country.

Jaishankar, who is here to attend the two-day Indian Ocean Conference, also reiterated his comment as to how Australia is the “most consequential relationship we have in the Indian Ocean.”

Addressing the Indian community here, Jaishankar started by highlighting how it was under Prime Minister Narendra Modi that a “new energy, this new interest, which has come into our foreign policy,” compared it with how it used to be in earlier years and said, “It took us 20 years after independence to have the first Prime Ministerial visit to Australia” and how every Prime Minister of Australia, since 2014, has met with Modi.

“So, the first message I bring to you today is that the relationship is doing great. There’s an enormous commitment from India starting with the Prime Minister to build on this partnership. And it is something that we regard today. Yesterday when I addressed the Indian Ocean conference, I said I regard this as the most consequential relationship we have in the Indian Ocean,” he said.

After talking about the increased political exchanges and the leadership level, the External Affairs Minister said, “Look at the trade today, our trade with Australia is upwards of USD 20 million and growing steadily. If one looks at the trade and investment side today again, there is that sense that this is a relationship which is very much on look at the community or the community itself,” the Minster told a packed Indian Community Centre hall.

He highlighted the growth of the community with “so many more of you in so many different professions,” and said: “It is manifesting itself in different ways. I mean, we have just recently…when the Prime Minister was here we announced a new consulate in Brisbane, Australia has opened one in Bengaluru and I expect more of this to unfold as the community grows.” The sentiment was reflected in his post on X after the event. “Addressed the Indian community in Perth today. Grateful for their contribution in strengthening the India-Australia Dosti,” he said and posted photos from the event.

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