India’s External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar expressed his delight in interacting with the Indian-diaspora in Brisbane during his visit to Australia, marking a significant step in fostering ties between the two nations.
“The opening of India’s 4th consulate in Australia is a step forward in our friendship,” said Jaishankar in a post on X, following his address to the Indian diaspora.
The new consulate in Brisbane, which was formally inaugurated by Dr Jaishankar, aims to strengthen India’s ties with Queensland, promote trade, foster educational linkages, and serve the Indian diaspora in the region.
“Delighted to formally inaugurate new Consulate General of India in Brisbane today. It will contribute to strengthening India’s ties with Queensland state, promoting trade, fostering educational linkages and serving the diaspora,” Jaishankar remarked.
He also extended his gratitude to H.E Dr. Jeannette Young, Governor of Queensland, and Ministers Ros Bates and Fiona Simpson for joining the inauguration ceremony, highlighting the support from Australian leadership in enhancing India-Australia relations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced the establishment of this new consulate during his visit to Australia in May 2023. The new consulate in Brisbane, the capital of Queensland, fulfills a long-standing request from the Indian diaspora and highlights the growing relationship between Queensland and India, both in trade and community growth.
Currently, India maintains a High Commission in Canberra and has consulates in Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth, along with an honorary consulate in Brisbane. Queensland is home to a rapidly growing Indian community, and the upcoming consulate is expected to further support this vibrant group.
While addressing members of the Indian diaspora at the University of Queensland in Brisbane on Sunday, Jaishankar noted the presence of around 125,000 individuals of Indian origin in Queensland. This underscores the significance of the community in strengthening the ties between the two nations.
“About 125,000 people of Indian origin live here. I’m told roughly 15,000-16,000 students are living in this state. What impressed me was that 75 per cent of Australia’s exports to India come from this state.”
“In the last 10 years, we should not treat it as an achievement but as a glimpse of what is possible. What we have done is put in place a framework in which this relationship will grow and foster in the times to come. Today, as India looks out at the world and say which are our really crucial foreign policy and platforms,” said Jaishankar.
He highlighted that 75 per cent of Australia’s exports to India originate from Queensland, urging stakeholders not to see recent successes as mere milestones but rather as indicators of future potential. He elaborated on the strategic framework that has been set in place to strengthen bilateral relations, stating that India is building an environment in which the partnership will grow in the coming years.
Jaishankar also touched on educational collaborations between the two countries, pointing out the recent visit of India’s Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to Australia.
“We have just had the visit of our Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to Australia and I do believe that education and research will play a disproportionate role in the knowledge economy and the era of AI,” he said.
This highlights the significant role education will play in deepening connections between the two nations, particularly in the context of a growing knowledge economy.
He went on to discuss the strong India-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership, emphasising the leadership and vision of both countries in energising bilateral ties and expanding areas of cooperation.
Jaishankar’s visit to Australia, which spans five days, includes multiple engagements. While in Brisbane, he is scheduled to inaugurate India’s 4th consulate in Australia and will also co-chair the 15th Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue (FMFD) with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong in Canberra.
The External Affairs Minister will deliver the keynote address at the inaugural session of the 2nd Raisina Down Under conference, to be held at the Australian Parliament House. In addition to formal meetings, Jaishankar is set to engage with Australian leaders, parliamentarians, the business community, members of the Indian diaspora, as well as media representatives and think tanks.
Following his visit to Australia, Jaishankar will travel to Singapore on November 8, 2024, where he will attend the 8th Roundtable of ASEAN – India Network of Think Tanks. He is also scheduled to meet with Singaporean leadership to review and discuss the strong partnership between India and Singapore, exploring opportunities to enhance bilateral ties further.
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