Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong is set to hold talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday—the 26th meeting between both leaders—in the backdrop of the Quad leaders’ summit being deferred to early next year amid strained India-US ties over tariffs. Both countries are expected to enhance cooperation across cyber and strategic technology, trade, maritime security and defence among other areas.
Wong arrived in New Delhi Wednesday. Ahead of her visit, she said, “Today I will travel to India for the 16th Australia-India Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue and my 26th meeting with the Minister for External Affairs Dr S Jaishankar.”
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Setting the context of the meeting, she said, “Australia and India have never been closer and our partnership never more consequential—it is crucial for us and crucial for the region in a sharper and more competitive world. My visit continues the high tempo of engagement between our two countries and reflects the ongoing work of the Albanese Government to deepen our relationships and strengthen our resilience.”
“Our cooperation under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership reflects our deepening alignment and shared vision for a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region,” she said.
Regarding the meeting with Jaishankar, Wong said, “We will look to enhance our cooperation across cyber and strategic technology, trade, maritime security, defence, sport, and people-to-people ties”.
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In August, Wong had met a group of Indian journalists, including The Indian Express, and had said that Australia wants a “deep, strong and trusted partnership” with India. She had also said that Australia “does not support tariffs”.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong.(Source: X/@westaustralian) 
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