New Delhi, Nov 20 (NationPress) The External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, highlighted on Thursday that the 16th India–Australia Foreign Ministers' Framework Dialogue serves as a vital component of the comprehensive strategic partnership, showcasing the mutual trust, democratic principles, and shared vision of both countries for a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific.

"As we celebrate five years of this partnership, the warmth and ease of collaboration are evident to everyone. We have witnessed a significant expansion across all areas of cooperation, encompassing trade and investment, defence and security, education and skills, research and innovation, science, technology, space, energy, and more. However, the cornerstone of our partnership is our lively People to People connections. Our growing alliance is undoubtedly a result of the guidance and vision provided by our Prime Ministers," remarked EAM Jaishankar during his introductory comments at the Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue held in New Delhi with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong.

“Today’s meeting presents an excellent chance for us to not only evaluate the progress made but also to outline the agenda for the next phase of our relationship. The recommendations we propose to our Prime Ministers will be crucial for their upcoming discussions,” he noted.

The Minister underscored that the trade and investment connections between India and Australia have steadily increased and expressed optimism that the ongoing negotiations regarding the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement will conclude shortly.

Highlighting the recent visit of Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, EAM Jaishankar stated, “I have learned from our Commerce and Industry Minister, who was in Australia just days ago, that they made significant strides. The trade figures today speak volumes, and they are increasingly promising.”

Jaishankar expressed gratitude for Australia’s support of India’s Gaganyaan Human Spaceflight mission and welcomed Australia’s plans to launch its satellite using an Indian launch vehicle.

In light of the current intricate geopolitical landscape, EAM emphasized that democracies like India and Australia have an increased responsibility.

“We face shared challenges, including maritime security, resilient supply chains, counter-terrorism, and climate action. Hence, it is imperative that we maintain robust momentum in our relations, achieve tangible results, and collaborate to fulfill our mutual regional and global priorities,” he concluded.