Speeches / Statements

Statement by EAM on his visit to Australia from 6 to 9 August 09

11/08/2009

1. I visited Cairns (Australia) in connection with the Pacific Island Forum’s - Post Forum Dialogue which took place on 7th morning. While in Cairns, I had a bilateral interaction with Foreign Minister Stephen Smith, first over lunch and followed by detailed talks. I also had a closed door meeting with Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.

2. India-Australia relations have been expanding rapidly over the last few years. India attaches importance to its relationship with Australia and we are committed to further strengthening and expanding our relations to cover virtually every area of interaction. Both sides feel that significant further scope exists, for expanding our trade as well as cooperation in areas such as Science and Technology, Information and Communication Technology, Energy, Education, Tourism and Agro-industry.

3. People to people contacts are at the heart of any relationship. Almost a quarter of a million people of Indian origin, live in Australia today. The Indian community through its culture and values, is contributing in making Australia the vibrant multi-cultural society that it is today. They are a vital bond between our two countries. There is also a strong and growing community of Indian students in Australia ( close to 97000). I shared with Australian PM and FM, Indian Government’s deep concerns about the safety and security of our students in Australia and impressed, that measures need to be put into place, to address their legitimate grievances so that our students get a good quality educational experience and I am sure the Australian authorities are working to bring this about.

4. Both India and Australia hope to eventually take our relationship to the level of a strategic partnership. We are looking at the possibility of discussing a Free Trade Agreement which would further boost our ties.

5. I have conveyed to FM Smith that we are looking forward to his visit in the near future as also a visit from PM Rudd in the later part of this year. The regularity of our bilateral interaction (visits of Australian Dy. PM and Education Minister Julia Gillard in end August) shows that the relationship is growing strongly all around and areas where there are concerns, such as the students’ issue, need to be dealt with, in a sensitive manner, while we make efforts to strengthen our ties in a comprehensive manner.

New Delhi
August 11, 2009