Bengaluru to get Australian Consulate this month: Anthony Albanese

In his statement after holding talks with PM Modi, Albanese said that the opening of the new Consulate would help in connecting the country's businesses to India's booming digital and innovation ecosystem.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the joint press meet, in Sydney, Wednesday, May 24, 2023. (PTI Photo)

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Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced Wednesday the opening of a new Australian Consulate in Bengaluru this month, a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India will open a consulate in Brisbane as part of the efforts of the two countries to enhance bilateral ties.

Addressing a joint press conference in Sydney, Albanese said the opening up of the Consul-General in Bengaluru will be the fifth diplomatic mission in India, after New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata. “Expanding Australia’s diplomatic footprint to Bengaluru will connect Australian businesses to India’s booming digital economy and innovation ecosystem, and reinforce our growing links in science and technology. And I welcome India’s plans for a consul general in Brisbane,” he added.

In 2021, during the Bangalore Tech Summit, then prime minister of Australia Scott Morrison had announced the setting up of a consulate in Bengaluru considering the city to be one of the world’s fastest-growing technology hubs and home to several unicorns.

Both leaders welcomed the signing of the India-Australia Migration and Mobility Partnership Arrangement (MMPA), which will further facilitate the mobility of students, professionals, researchers, academics and others, including through a new skilled pathway named MATES (Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early Professionals Scheme) specifically created for India.

The two leaders reiterated their determination to ensure a peaceful, prosperous and inclusive Indo-Pacific region, underpinned by a rules-based international order. They also discussed the reform of the UN Security Council.

Albanese also expressed Australia’s strong support for India’s G20 Presidency and initiatives. PM Modi said he is looking forward to welcoming Albanese for the G20 Summit in New Delhi in September.

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