India and Australia held the fourth 2+2 Secretary-level Consultations in New Delhi on Monday. During the meeting, both sides discussed a wide range of topics including political, strategic, defense, security, and regional and global issues of mutual interest.
The Indian delegation was led by Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. On the Australian side, Secretary of the Department of Defence Greg Moriarty and Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) Jan Adams led the talks.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, the spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, confirmed the meeting. He wrote in a Facebook post, “The fourth India-Australia 2+2 Secretary-level Consultations were held in New Delhi. The Indian delegation was led by Defence Secretary Shri Giridhar Aramane and Foreign Secretary Shri Vikram Misri, while the Australian side was led by Secretary of, the Department of Defence Mr. Greg Moriarty and Secretary, of Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (DFAT) Ms. Jan Adams. Discussions covered a wide array of issues such as political, strategic, defense, and security, along with regional and global issues of mutual interest.”
Following the meeting, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Australian DFAT Secretary Jan Adams. Jaishankar said their conversation was useful for strengthening their “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.” He welcomed Adams to New Delhi, stating that exchanges between both nations were good.
Tweeting on X, Jaishankar said, “Happy to receive Australian @dfat Secretary Jan Adams today in New Delhi. The exchanges and conversations between us benefit our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.”
Meanwhile, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met Australian Defence Secretary Greg Moriarty. Singh said India is eager to further strengthen its defense cooperation with Australia. He said in a tweet, “Was pleased to meet the Australian Secretary for the Department of Defence Mr. Greg Moriarty in New Delhi. Looking forward to further strengthening India-Australia defense cooperation.”
Australian High Commissioner to India, Philip Green OAM. Termed the meeting an “important step in deepening the security partnership between our two nations.” He tweeted: “Another important brick in our intensifying security partnership. The India-Australia Secretaries’ 2+2 meeting today-taking place in the years between our Ministerial 2+2 India-Australia-ensures we continue to build momentum.”
In June 2020, India and Australia upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Australia is among the only three countries with which India holds annual leader-level summits.
Earlier this month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. During the ASEAN-India Summit in Laos on 10 October.
ANI
