Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar, who reached Australia, has shared an anecdote related to his conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He told how a question from PM Modi had made him silent. Said on Sunday that India is moving on the path of development and wants to move forward with the world.
Jaishankar emphasized that there is goodwill and spirit to work with India among the countries of the world.
While addressing the Indian community here, Jaishankar also underlined the historical relations between the two countries. He said that India has made remarkable progress in the last ten years under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi.
He said, ‘India will move forward, India is moving forward, but India wants to move forward with the world. When we look at the world, we see opportunities. We are optimistic. There may be problems, but overall, we feel that there is goodwill and sentiment among the countries of the world to work with India.
He said, ‘We see a sentiment around the world towards India’s success and it is important that we harness that sentiment.’ He said, ‘Indians today have an image abroad of being better educated, more personally responsible…I think the combination of all these today makes us very attractive in the global workplace.’
He said, ‘And I think it’s important to develop that brand, to nurture those skills… And then I emphasize that you know this is the era of AI (artificial intelligence), electric Mobility is about chips and it will require a global workforce.
He mentioned the transformation in bilateral relations with Australia and attributed this progress to four major factors: Prime Minister Modi, Australia, the world and the Indian diaspora.
He said, ‘I mentioned Prime Minister Modi and I did so for a special reason. I remember an early conversation I had with him in 2014. He asked me to explain to him why our relations with Australia did not develop? Because everything is going well in this. There is a language, a shared culture and tradition and yet there is something that is not happening.
Jaishankar said, ‘I had no answer that day, perhaps because I had not considered it myself. Therefore, this is a reflection that this relationship did not happen on its own. People from both sides made a lot of efforts to make it.
Noting the presence of approximately 1,25,000 Indian expatriates in Queensland, the External Affairs Minister highlighted their importance in strengthening relations between the two countries.
He said that 75 percent of Australia’s exports to India come from Brisbane. He said that this cooperation should not be seen merely as an achievement but as a blueprint for future development. He said, ‘There is no doubt that the place of Quad is at the top and Australia is the founding partner of Quad in the context of our bilateral relations.’
He said India has designated Australia as a ‘comprehensive strategic partner’ and only a few countries have got this privilege. India and Australia are members of the strategic security organization Quad, with the other two countries being the US and Japan. Later, in a post on ‘X’ the minister said he was ‘delighted to interact with members of the Indian community’ in Brisbane.
He wrote, ‘Talked about the strong India-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership and the efforts, vision and leadership of both countries to strengthen it. India’s fourth Consulate in Australia is to be inaugurated, which is the next step in our friendship.
Jaishankar then met Queensland University Chancellor Peter Varghese in Brisbane. The minister said in a post on ‘X’, ‘There was a fruitful discussion on educational and research cooperation between India and Australia.’
He arrived here on Sunday on the first leg of his two-nation tour. He will also go to Singapore. During the visit, Jaishankar will inaugurate India’s fourth Consulate General in Australia in Brisbane.
He will also co-chair the 15th Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue (FMFD) in Canberra with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong.
He will deliver the keynote address at the inaugural session of the second ‘Raisina Down Under’ to be held at the Australian Parliament House. He is also scheduled to interact with Australian leadership, parliamentarians, business community, media and intellectuals.
From Australia, Jaishankar will travel to Singapore, where he will address the 8th Round Table Conference of the ASEAN-India Think Tank Network. He will also meet leaders of Singapore to review the close partnership between the two countries.
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