Did Rajnath Singh Congratulate Richard Marles on His Deputy PM Appointment?

New Delhi, May 23 (NationPress) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh extended heartfelt congratulations to Richard Marles, the leader of the Australian Labor Party, on his reappointment as the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence in Australia.

Singh, via his official account on X, expressed, "Warmest congratulations to my friend @RichardMarlesMP on his reappointment as the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence for Australia. I eagerly anticipate our continued collaboration to enhance bilateral defence relations within the framework of the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership."

This congratulatory note follows the recent Australian federal election, where Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his centre-left Labor Party achieved a significant victory. This marked a historic moment as Albanese became the first Australian prime minister in 21 years to secure a second consecutive three-year term.

On May 6, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also communicated with Albanese to congratulate him on his historic re-election as the 32nd Prime Minister of Australia. The two leaders reaffirmed their dedication to enhancing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) between their nations, highlighting the strong cooperation developed over five years across various sectors. They acknowledged the vital role of the dynamic Indian diaspora in strengthening bilateral relations.

Both leaders shared insights on regional and global issues of shared interest, reiterating their commitment to fostering a free, open, stable, rules-based, and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

PM Albanese was invited by Modi to visit India for the upcoming Annual Summit and the QUAD Summit, which will be hosted in India later this year, with both leaders agreeing to stay connected.

Richard Marles, first elected to the House of Representatives for Corio, Victoria, back in 2007, has held several prominent roles during his political journey, including Minister for Trade, Minister for Employment, and various parliamentary secretarial roles. He also chaired the House Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Affairs.

Born in 1967 and raised in Geelong, Marles holds degrees in Law and Science (LLB Hons, BSc) from the University of Melbourne.

The Australian federal election kicked off with early voting on April 22, where approximately half of the 18 million registered voters were anticipated to cast their votes before the election day on May 3.

In Australia, voting is mandatory for all citizens aged 18 and over. The Australian Electoral Commission reported an unprecedented voter enrollment rate of 98.2% for the election held on May 3.