India’s Foreign Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar’s Visit to Australia: Strengthening Ties and Addressing Global Issues

This essay, based on the coverage, in leading Indian newspapers, of India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar’s visit to Australia in November 3-7, 2024, examines the diplomatic engagement, highlighting how it underscores the deepening strategic partnership between the two nations through shared commitments to regional security, economic cooperation, and countering extremism, while reinforcing the importance of diplomatic engagement in tackling global challenges.

India’s Foreign Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar’s Visit to Australia.

From November 3 to November 7, 2024, India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, visited Australia as part of a broader diplomatic mission that also included Singapore. This visit had important goals, including enhancing India-Australia relations and addressing some key regional and global issues. This essay explores the details and significance of his visit.

Key Events and Activities

Dr. Jaishankar’s trip to Australia was filled with several important events and meetings highlighting the growing bond between India and Australia. Here are some of the main events:

1. Inauguration of the New Consulate in Brisbane: On November 4, Dr. Jaishankar inaugurated India’s fourth consulate in Australia, which is located in Brisbane. This new consulate is expected to play a major role in strengthening India’s relationship with Queensland, a major state in Australia. By opening this consulate, India hopes to make it easier to conduct business with Australia, encourage students to study in each other’s countries, and serve the needs of the Indian community in Australia. The Indian diaspora in Australia is growing, and this consulate will be an important connection for them, providing support and services.
2. Diplomatic Meetings with Australian and International Leaders: Dr. Jaishankar met with many significant leaders during his visit, including Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. In their discussions, they explored ways to make the India-Australia relationship even stronger. This was followed by a meeting with Peter Dutton, the leader of Australia’s Liberal Party, where they discussed important global issues and shared perspectives on regional security.

Besides Australian leaders, Dr. Jaishankar also met with New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Winston Peters, and the UAE’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who were both visiting Canberra. These meetings highlighted India’s aim to strengthen its relations not only with Australia but with other important global partners.

1. 15th Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue: Another important part of Dr. Jaishankar’s trip was the 15th Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue (FMFD), which he co-chaired with Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong. This dialogue served as a platform for both countries to discuss issues of mutual interest, such as security in the Indo-Pacific region, trade, and economic cooperation.
2. Raisina Down Under: Dr. Jaishankar delivered the keynote address at the Raisina Down Under conference, which took place at the Australian Parliament House. This event was a unique opportunity for him to present India’s views on important regional matters, especially those concerning the Indo-Pacific. By engaging in this public dialogue, he was able to communicate India’s perspectives to a wider audience in Australia, including government officials, the business community, and the general public.

Diplomatic Engagements

Apart from formal meetings, Dr. Jaishankar also engaged in various diplomatic activities to further strengthen India-Australia relations. He interacted with Australian leaders, parliamentarians, and key members of the Indian diaspora in Australia. These interactions allowed him to connect with people on a personal level and understand their concerns and aspirations. Additionally, he met with the business community, think tanks, and media representatives, which helped him gather insights about Australia’s economic and political landscape.

One particularly symbolic gesture was when Dr. Jaishankar paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Roma Street Parklands in Brisbane. This tribute highlighted Gandhi’s message of peace and harmony, which resonates with both India and Australia. It was a moment that underscored the shared values of the two nations.

Addressing Key Issues

During his visit, Dr. Jaishankar addressed various issues that affect both India and Australia, as well as the wider world. These included:

1. The India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership: Over the years, India and Australia have developed a strong partnership, and both countries now consider each other crucial allies. This was not always the case; the relationship has transformed over the past decade, and Dr. Jaishankar credited this to several factors. These included the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the supportive stance of the Australian government, changing global circumstances, and the significant contributions of the Indian community in Australia. These four factors have helped India and Australia become close partners, not just in trade but also in strategic areas like defense and regional security.
2. Regional Security and the Indo-Pacific Strategy: Both India and Australia share a concern about security in the Indo-Pacific region, where rising tensions affect peace and stability. Dr. Jaishankar and his Australian counterparts discussed ways to work together to ensure this region remains peaceful. An important aspect of these discussions was the Quad partnership, an alliance of four countries—India, Australia, Japan, and the United States—that aims to support freedom, peace, and economic growth in the Indo-Pacific.
3. The Khalistan Issue and Diplomatic Tensions with Canada: One issue that came up during Dr. Jaishankar’s visit was the ongoing challenge of Khalistan extremism in the Indian diaspora, especially in countries like Canada. Recently, relations between India and Canada have been tense because of incidents involving pro-Khalistan groups, which India views as a threat to its security. Dr. Jaishankar used this visit to bring attention to the issue of extremism, which he believes some foreign governments including the UK and Australia, have not handled strictly enough. By discussing this matter with Australia, he sought to raise awareness and perhaps gather support for India’s stance on the issue. This also highlights the complex nature of India’s international relations, as India works to address concerns about extremism while maintaining good diplomatic relations with other countries.
4. India-China Relations: China was also an important topic during Dr. Jaishankar’s visit, even though it was not mentioned directly. India and China have had disputes, especially along their shared border, and Dr. Jaishankar shared his cautious optimism about recent efforts to reduce tensions. At the same time, he acknowledged that many Chinese troops are still stationed at the border, which remains a point of concern for India. By discussing the importance of partnerships like the one between India and Australia, Dr. Jaishankar emphasised the need for allies in managing complex relationships in the region, especially when it comes to China’s growing influence.
5. Economic Growth and Trade: Economic growth and trade opportunities were also on the agenda. Australia sees India as a valuable partner, especially as India is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. Strengthening trade ties could benefit both countries, allowing Australia to diversify its economic partnerships and reduce its reliance on any single nation. For India, expanding trade with Australia means access to more markets and economic opportunities for its businesses and citizens.

Importance of the Visit

Dr. Jaishankar’s visit to Australia highlighted the importance of India-Australia relations and the benefits of cooperation between the two countries. It demonstrated how much these two nations value each other as partners in today’s complex world. For India, Australia is now considered one of its key allies, especially within the Anglophone (English-speaking) world. This partnership is not just about trade but also about mutual support in handling global challenges.

One of the main takeaways from this visit was the message of unity and cooperation. Dr. Jaishankar emphasised that India and Australia, as democracies, share common values and goals. By working together, they can tackle some of the biggest challenges facing the world today, such as ensuring security in the Indo-Pacific region, managing relationships with other powerful nations, and dealing with extremist threats.

Another key aspect of the visit was its impact on the Indian community in Australia. Dr. Jaishankar’s interactions with the Indian diaspora showed how much India values its citizens abroad and how they play an important role in building bridges between India and other countries. The new consulate in Brisbane will be a significant support centre for Indian nationals in Australia, helping them stay connected to their home country and contributing to the positive image of India abroad.

Conclusion

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The Source’s Authority and Ownership of the Article is Claimed By THE STUDY IAS BY MANIKANT SINGH