Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar are set to meet in Delhi on Thursday to explore ways to strengthen cooperation across several key areas, including cyber and strategic technology, trade, maritime security, defence, sport, and people-to-people ties. This meeting underscores the ongoing commitment of both nations to deepen their strategic partnership.
Wong highlighted the significance of her visit, stating, “My visit continues the high tempo of engagement between our two countries and reflects the ongoing work of the Albanese Government to deepen our relationships and strengthen our resilience.” This visit is part of a broader effort by the Australian government to bolster its international alliances and enhance mutual resilience.
India and Australia have already made significant strides in economic cooperation with the implementation of the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA). This agreement includes commitments to reduce or eliminate import duties on most goods. The two nations are also working towards a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA), which aims to encompass the entire spectrum of bilateral economic and commercial relations. This includes trade in goods and services, digital trade, rules of origin, and legal and institutional provisions.
“The visit offers an opportunity to build on the various facets of the India-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) noted in a post on the social media platform X.
Wong expressed her anticipation for the discussions with Jaishankar, aiming to chart a course for a more ambitious and future-focused agenda as the India-Australia 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.
In fiscal year 2025, India was Australia’s eighth largest trading partner, while Australia was India’s fourteenth largest trading partner. Bilateral trade between the two countries reached $24.1 billion, with India’s goods exports valued at $8.58 billion and imports at $15.52 billion.
This meeting comes at a critical juncture, as both nations seek to strengthen their strategic and economic ties in an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape. The discussions are expected to lay the groundwork for enhanced collaboration in critical areas, ensuring that both countries are well-positioned to address future challenges and opportunities.