Australia and India Seeking to Cooperate for Trade and Investments

On Nov 21, India and Australia engaged in a 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue to enhance defense collaboration and strengthen the strategic alliance in critical minerals, trade, and investment. Rajnath Singh, the Defence Minister, and S. Jaishankar, the External Affairs Minister, Jaishankar held a meeting with Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles and Foreign Minister Penny Wong in New Delhi as part of the second India-Australia 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue.

It is understandable that the Dialogue addressed the situation in the Indo-Pacific region in light of China's military ambitions.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, external affairs ministry spokesman Arindam Bagchi said, "Ministers will exchange views on deepening multifaceted India-Australia ties, including in areas of defense and security, trade & investment, critical minerals, energy, climate change, S&T, space, education and people to people linkages. Regional and global issues are also on the agenda."

Ahead of the meeting, Ms Wong and Mr Marles visited the National War Memorial to pay respects to soldiers who sacrificed their lives.

“India and Australia have a long history of military relations - Australian soldiers have fought alongside Indian troops in a number of campaigns, including at Gallipoli," Wong said on X.