Tuesday 21 November 2023

**Remarks at the 14th India-Australia Foreign Ministers' Framework Dialogue**

**Remarks at the 14th India-Australia Foreign Ministers' Framework Dialogue**

**Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,**

I am honored to be here today to participate in the 14th India-Australia Foreign Ministers' Framework Dialogue. This dialogue is a testament to the strong and enduring partnership between our two countries.

**Shared Values and Common Goals**

India and Australia are bound by a shared commitment to democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. We are also united in our desire to promote peace, prosperity, and security in the Indo-Pacific region.

**Deepening Cooperation**

In recent years, our cooperation has deepened across a range of areas, including trade, defense, education, and culture. We have also worked together closely on regional and global issues.

**Indo-Pacific Vision**

We share a vision of an open, inclusive, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. This vision is based on the principles of respect for sovereignty, peaceful resolution of disputes, and freedom of navigation and overflight.

**Partnership of Consequence**

Our partnership is not just of consequence for our two countries, but for the entire Indo-Pacific region. It is a partnership that is grounded in mutual respect and trust.

**Challenges and Opportunities**

We face a number of challenges in the Indo-Pacific region, including climate change, terrorism, and nuclear proliferation. However, we also have many opportunities, such as growing economies and a young and vibrant population.

**Working Together**

By working together, we can overcome the challenges we face and seize the opportunities that lie ahead. We can build a more peaceful, prosperous, and secure Indo-Pacific region for all.


**Remarks at the 14th India-Australia Foreign Ministers' Framework Dialogue**

**Introduction**

Excellency, Foreign Minister Penny Wong, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

It is a great pleasure to welcome you all to the 14th India-Australia Foreign Ministers' Framework Dialogue. This Dialogue is a testament to the strong and enduring partnership between our two countries. It is an opportunity for us to review our progress, identify new areas of cooperation, and reaffirm our commitment to a shared vision for the Indo-Pacific.

**India-Australia Partnership: A Strategic Imperative**

The India-Australia partnership is a strategic imperative for both our countries. We are two democracies with shared values and interests. We are both located in the Indo-Pacific, a region of immense economic and strategic importance. And we both face common challenges, such as climate change and terrorism.

In recent years, our partnership has grown from strength to strength. We have established a comprehensive strategic partnership that encompasses a wide range of areas, including defense, trade, education, and culture. We have also deepened our cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, working together to promote a free, open, and inclusive regional order.

**Key Areas of Cooperation**

There are a number of key areas where our cooperation is particularly strong.

* **Defense and Security:** We have a strong and growing defense and security relationship. Our militaries cooperate on a regular basis, and we share a common interest in maintaining a stable and secure Indo-Pacific.

* **Trade and Investment:** Trade and investment between India and Australia is growing at a rapid pace. We are working to finalize a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA), which will further boost trade and investment flows between our two countries.

* **Education and Skill Development:** Education and skill development are key areas of focus for both our countries. We have a number of initiatives in place to promote academic and vocational training exchanges between our two countries.

* **Climate Change:** Climate change is a shared challenge for both India and Australia. We are working together to address this challenge, both domestically and internationally.

* **Indo-Pacific Cooperation:** We are both committed to promoting a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific order. We are working together in a number of regional forums, including the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), to advance our shared goals.

**Looking Ahead**

The future of the India-Australia partnership is bright. We have a strong foundation of shared values, interests, and goals. We are committed to working together to build an even stronger partnership in the years to come.

In particular, we will continue to focus on the following areas:

* **Deepening our defense and security cooperation:** We will continue to work together to enhance our defense and security cooperation, including in the areas of maritime security, counter-terrorism, and cyber security.

* **Finalizing the CECA:** We will work towards finalizing the CECA as soon as possible. This will further boost trade and investment flows between our two countries, and create new opportunities for our businesses and citizens.

* **Strengthening our education and skill development partnership:** We will continue to work together to strengthen our education and skill development partnership. This will help us to address the skills shortages in both our countries, and to prepare our citizens for the jobs of the future.

* **Addressing climate change:** We will continue to work together to address the challenge of climate change. This includes both domestic action and international cooperation.

* **Promoting a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific:** We will continue to work together to promote a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific order. This is essential for the peace, prosperity, and security of our region.

**Conclusion**

The India-Australia partnership is a vital force for good in the world. It is a partnership that is based on shared values, mutual respect, and common interests. I am confident that this partnership will continue to grow from strength to strength in the years to come.

**Remarks at the 14th India-Australia Foreign Ministers' Framework Dialogue**

**[Your Name]**

**[Your Title]**

**[Your Organization]**

**[Date]**

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, a warm welcome to the 14th India-Australia Foreign Ministers' Framework Dialogue. I am honored to be here today to represent [Your Country] and to engage in this important dialogue with our esteemed Australian partners.

The India-Australia relationship is a strategic partnership that has grown stronger and more consequential in recent years. We are two vibrant democracies, two major economies, and two important players in the Indo-Pacific region. Our shared values, our common interests, and our commitment to a rules-based international order provide a solid foundation for our partnership.

Today's dialogue is an opportunity to review our progress, identify new areas of cooperation, and reaffirm our commitment to strengthening our partnership. We have discussed a wide range of issues, including:

* **The Indo-Pacific:** We are both committed to a free, open, inclusive, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. We have agreed to work together to promote regional security, economic cooperation, and the rule of law.

* **Trade and investment:** We are committed to expanding our trade and investment ties. We are making good progress on negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA), which will boost our economic ties and create new opportunities for our businesses and workers.

* **Defense and security:** We have a strong and growing defense and security partnership. We are working together to enhance our maritime cooperation, cybersecurity collaboration, and counterterrorism efforts.

* **Climate change:** We are both committed to addressing the climate crisis. We are working together to promote clean energy, sustainable development, and climate adaptation.

In addition to these specific areas of cooperation, we have also discussed the challenges we face in the region and the world. We are both concerned about the rise of authoritarianism, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and the threat of terrorism. We agree that we need to work together to address these challenges and build a more stable and secure world.

I am confident that the India-Australia relationship will continue to grow from strength to strength in the years to come. We are two countries with a shared destiny, and we are committed to working together to create a better future for our people and for the region.

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