Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong arrived in the national capital to participate in the second India-Australia 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue on Monday morning. She received a warm welcome at the Air Force Station, Palam, in New Delhi.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi extended a warm welcome to FM @SenatorWong of Australia, highlighting her role in co-chairing the 2nd India-Australia 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue and the 14th Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue. Bagchi expressed anticipation for discussions covering various facets of the India-Australia partnership.
Simultaneously, Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles had already arrived in India for the 2+2 dialogue. The two Australian leaders are set to co-chair the dialogue alongside their Indian counterparts, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
Marles emphasized the significance of India as a top-tier security partner for Australia, highlighting the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership as a series of practical, tangible actions benefiting the Indo-Pacific region. Noting several firsts in the India-Australia defence relationship this year, he underscored the growing closeness of both nations’ defence and security partnerships.
The Australian Foreign Ministry highlighted the centrality of cooperation with India to Australia’s approach in ensuring the Indo-Pacific remains open, inclusive, and resilient. Foreign Affairs Minister Wong reiterated that the India-Australia partnership is pivotal to the stability and prosperity of the shared region. Emphasizing Australia’s commitment to closer collaboration with India in the Indian Ocean, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific, she highlighted the deepening defence and security cooperation.
The 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue was highlighted as a cornerstone of the India-Australia relationship, providing an opportunity to progress and work together to shape the desired region. During the meeting, the ministers aimed to advance cooperation on shared regional interests, covering areas such as defence, security, renewable energy, and technology.
