EAM S. JAISHANKAR's VISIT TO AUSTRALIA: EXTENSIVE DISCUSSIONS ON UKRAINE AND ITS REPERCUSSIONS IN INDO-PACIFIC

On October 10, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar mentioned having extensive discussions with his Australian counterpart Penny Wong about the ongoing situation in Ukraine and its effects on the Indo-Pacific region. Following the 13th India-Australia Foreign Ministers' Framework Dialogue, which was held by both Ministers, Mr. Jaishankar and Ms. Wong spoke at a news conference (FMFD).

"We discussed Ukraine and its repercussions in the Indo-Pacific region, the progress in Quad, G-20 issues, our trilateral, some things related to IAEA and climate finance sustainable development goals," EAM Jaishankar said. He said the discussions held were underpinned by the fact that "as liberal democracies, we both believe in the rules-based international order, in freedom of navigation in the international waters, in promoting growth connectivity and security of all and ensuring that countries make sovereign choices in matters that are important today."

Australia's views and interests will be crucial because it will be the G20 chair the following year, he said. He thanked Australia for joining India in commemorating the 75th anniversary of India's independence by decorating some of Australia's most iconic places. According to Mr. Jaishankar, the discussions focused on bilateral issues so that Australia and India could work together to improve the region.

"We spoke about a whole lot of issues—trade, economy, education, defence and security, clean energy and among the many agreements and understandings we reached. It is in our mutual interest to expand the diplomatic footprint in each other's country."

"There are some issues in which we see great potential in terms of giving a greater quality to our bilateral partnership," he added.

"An understanding on the mobility of talent and skills and how we can grow education and what we could do bearing in mind India's new education policy," Mr. Jaishankar highlighted as some of the proposals that had been discussed. The advancement of the trade and economic cooperation agreement that was finalized earlier this year, he added, was the other. The double taxation avoidance agreement was a barrier to our business's expansion, thus steps are being taken to alter it, he added.

According to Penny Wong, Australia and India are comprehensive strategic partners. He called both the countries Quad partners and said that we partner in many other ways.

On Monday, Mr. Jaishankar travelled to Canberra, where he will meet with Australia's top officials.