(Photo : x.com/DrSJaishankar)
EAM Jaishankar's Brisbane Visit: A Leap in India-Australia Relations

• S. Jaishankar inaugurated the new Indian Consulate in Brisbane, marking a significant step in strengthening India-Australia ties.
• Jaishankar highlighted the consulate's role in promoting trade, fostering educational linkages, and serving the Indian diaspora in Queensland.
• He emphasized the economic importance of Queensland to India, noting that 75% of Australia's exports to India come from this state.
• The visit underscores India's commitment to its "comprehensive strategic partner," Australia, and the deepening ties under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership.

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar inaugurated the new Consulate General of India in Brisbane, Australia, on Monday, marking a significant step in strengthening the ties between India and Australia. The EAM, who is currently on a two-nation tour, arrived in Brisbane on Sunday and will be in Australia until November 7. Following his Australian visit, he will proceed to Singapore on November 8.

Jaishankar expressed his delight at the inauguration of the new consulate on social media. He wrote, Delighted to formally inaugurate new Consulate General of India in Brisbane today. It will contribute to strengthening India's ties with Queensland state, promoting trade, fostering educational linkages, and serving the diaspora. The inauguration ceremony was attended by several prominent officials, including Dr Jeannette Young, Governor of Queensland, and Ministers Ros Bates and Fiona Simpson.

In a separate meeting, Jaishankar discussed opportunities and ways to strengthen economic, trade, and investment cooperation with Governor Young. He also paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Roma Street Parklands in Brisbane.

Strengthening India-Australia Relations

During his address to the Indian community, Jaishankar outlined four key factors contributing to the strengthening of India-Australia ties, emphasising the transformation in bilateral relations under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. There are four reasons - PM Modi, Australia, the world, and all of you, Jaishankar remarked, appreciating the Indian diaspora's warm welcome and contributions.

He highlighted the significance of the visit, not only to open India's fourth consulate in Brisbane but to fulfil PM Modi's commitment to the Indian community. Reflecting on the Indian diaspora in Queensland, which includes 125,000 residents and approximately 15,000-16,000 students, Jaishankar stressed the state's economic importance to India, noting, 75 per cent of Australia's exports to India actually come from this state.

India's Comprehensive Strategic Partner

Jaishankar described India's designation of Australia as a comprehensive strategic partner, a term reserved for only a few nations. The more adjectives you add, the weightier it gets, he noted. Jaishankar also lauded the positive impact of the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) on trade and emphasised the value of agreements on mobility, migration, and mutual recognition, specifically mentioning the MATES agreement.

During his visit, he will co-chair the 15th Foreign Ministers' Framework Dialogue (FMFD) with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and deliver the keynote address at the 2nd Raisina Down Under conference at the Australian Parliament House. He will engage with Australian leaders, parliamentarians, and representatives from business, media, and think tanks.

After completing his visit to Australia, Jaishankar will travel to Singapore, where he will participate in the 8th ASEAN-India Network of Think Tanks Roundtable and meet with Singaporean leaders to discuss further strengthening the partnership.

The inauguration of the new Consulate General of India in Brisbane is a significant step in strengthening India-Australia relations. It is expected to promote trade, foster educational linkages, and serve the Indian diaspora in Australia. The visit also underscores the importance of the Queensland state to India, both in terms of its economic significance and the presence of a large Indian diaspora. The visit is also an affirmation of India's commitment to its comprehensive strategic partner, Australia, and a testament to the deepening ties under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership.