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Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles and Foreign Minister Penny Wong have announced they will travel to India to meet with their ministerial counterparts and attend the second India–Australia 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in New Delhi.
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The 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue is a cornerstone of Australia’s relationship, with the Albanese government describing the Australia–India relationship and the ministerial dialogue as an opportunity for the two nations to “progress our work together to shape the type of region we want”.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, the Hon Richard Marles MP, said, “India is a top-tier security partner for Australia and our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is one of practical, tangible actions that directly benefit the Indo-Pacific region.
“Our cooperation with India is at the heart of Australia’s approach to ensuring the Indo-Pacific remains open, inclusive, and resilient,” he said.
As China continues to become more assertive in the Indo-Pacific, the Australia-India relationship has never been more consequential, with the government highlighting that “we are working together through our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, as Quad partners and beyond to promote a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region”.
The ministers will advance cooperation on shared regional interests, including in defence, security, renewable energy, and technology. They will also discuss deepening trade and investment ties.
Deputy Prime Minister Marles will also meet his counterpart, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, to discuss ways to continue driving forward the Australia–India defence relationship and discuss the shared challenges facing the region.
Foreign Minister Wong will meet with her counterpart, Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar, for the longstanding annual Australia–India Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue.
Foreign Minister Senator Penny Wong said, “The India–Australia partnership is central to the stability and prosperity of our shared region.
“Along with our deepening defence and security cooperation, Australia is committed to partnering with India more closely for the benefit of our region, in the Indian Ocean, in Southeast Asia, and in the Pacific,” Minister Wong added.
Following the Indian-leg of this trip, the Deputy Prime Minister will then travel to the United Arab Emirates to meet with his ministerial counterparts between 21 and 22 November.
The UAE is Australia’s most significant regional defence partner and largest trade and investment partner with two-way trade valued at $9.2 billion in 2022.
The Deputy Prime Minister added, “Australia remains committed to maintaining our close bilateral defence and economic relationship with the UAE through dialogues, training, and industry cooperation.”
This is the first visit to the region by an Australian Defence Minister in five years and the first visit by the Deputy Prime Minister.
The Albanese government stressed the importance of the Australia–UAE relationship, stating that, “This sends an important signal that Australia remains committed to Middle East stability. Australia supports the ongoing efforts of international partners, including the UAE, to prevent the Hamas–Israel conflict from spreading.”
While in the UAE, the Deputy Prime Minister will have the honour of meeting with the President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
