Australian Foreign Minister Senator Penny Wong arrived in the national capital on Wednesday to co-chair the 16th Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar — the 26th meeting between the two leaders.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), in a post on X, welcomed Wong and said the engagement presents an important opportunity to advance the India–Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
“Warm welcome to FM Senator Wong of Australia as she arrives in New Delhi to co-chair the 16th Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue with EAM S Jaishankar. The visit offers an opportunity to build on the various facets of the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” the MEA posted on X.
In her statement ahead of the visit, 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 builds on the sustained momentum in bilateral engagements and reflects the Albanese Government’s efforts to deepen relationships and strengthen resilience.
Wong underlined that cooperation under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership demonstrates the growing alignment and shared vision for a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
“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. We will look to enhance our cooperation across cyber and strategic technology, trade, maritime security, defence, sport and people-to-people ties,” she said.
She further noted that Australia and India are working together bilaterally, through the Quad, and across multilateral institutions to advance collective security and prosperity.
The high-level interaction follows Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s visit to Australia in October, during which he held delegation-level talks with Wong and met Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, describing the engagement as a boost to the bilateral relationship.
-ANI
