Desk: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar inaugurated India’s new Consulate General in Brisbane on Monday, highlighting how it would strengthen ties with Queensland, boost trade, and serve the Indian diaspora. Jaishankar arrived in Australia on Sunday for the first leg of his two-nation tour, after which he will travel to Singapore.
Taking to social media platform ‘X,’ Jaishankar wrote, “Delighted to formally inaugurate the new Consulate General of India in Brisbane today. This will contribute to strengthening our ties with the State of Queensland, enhancing trade, promoting educational ties, and serving the community. I thank Queensland Governor Dr. Jeannette Young and Ministers Ros Bates and Fiona Simpson for attending the inauguration ceremony.”
Jaishankar emphasized that opening the new consulate marks a milestone in rapidly growing bilateral relations and acknowledges Queensland’s increasing significance. He noted, “Queensland holds a prominent place in our growing relationship in many ways.” Nearly 100,000 out of the one million people of Indian origin living in Australia reside in Queensland, making India the state’s second-largest export market.
India is Australia’s sixth-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade rising from $22.2 billion in 2021 to $31.4 billion in 2022, reflecting a 41% increase. During this period, India’s exports to Australia increased by 38%, from $6.3 billion in 2021 to $8.7 billion in 2022. As of July 2024, Queensland’s exports to India had reached $4.5 billion, while imports from India stood at $375 million. However, India’s share in Queensland’s total global exports, valued at $113.8 billion, was only 3.95%.
This is India’s fourth consulate in Australia, alongside consulates in Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth. On Monday, the Foreign Minister also paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Roma Street Parklands in Brisbane. Jaishankar tweeted, “His message of peace and harmony resonates across the world.”
On the same day, Jaishankar met with Queensland Governor Dr. Jeannette Young in Brisbane. He tweeted, “Pleased to meet Queensland Governor Dr. Jeannette Young in Brisbane today. We discussed opportunities and ways to strengthen economic, trade, and investment cooperation with the State of Queensland.”
Jaishankar will co-chair the 15th Foreign Ministers Framework Dialogue (FMFD) with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong in Canberra. He is also scheduled to deliver the keynote address at the second ‘Raisina Down Under’ session in the Australian Parliament House. Additionally, he will engage with Australian leadership, parliamentarians, the business community, media, and intellectuals.
Following his visit to Australia, Jaishankar will head to Singapore, where he will address the 8th ASEAN-India Think Tanks Network Roundtable and meet with Singaporean leaders to review the close partnership between the two countries.