Foreign Minister S Jaishankar
In a significant move to deepen ties between India and Australia, External Affair Minister S Jaishankar inaugurated new Indian consulate in Brisbane on Monday.
Expressing his enthusiasm on social media platform X, Jaishankar shared, “Delighted to formally inaugurate the new Consulate General of India in Brisbane today. It will contribute to strengthening India’s ties with Queensland, promoting trade, fostering educational linkages, and serving the diaspora.”
Jaishankar, currently on a two-nation tour, arrived in Brisbane on Sunday and is scheduled to remain in Australia until November 7. Following his Australia visit, he will head to Singapore for high-level engagements.
Prominent Australian dignitaries attended the inauguration, including Dr. Jeannette Young, Governor of Queensland, along with state ministers Ros Bates and Fiona Simpson. In a separate meeting with Governor Young, Jaishankar emphasized the importance of economic, trade, and investment cooperation between India and Queensland. He highlighted that 75% of Australia’s exports to India originate from Queensland, underscoring the state’s economic relevance to India.
Consulate In Brisbane: Jaishankar Paid Tribute To Mahatma Gandhi
During the visit, Jaishankar paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Roma Street Parklands and engaged with the Indian community in Brisbane. Addressing the diaspora, he outlined four core factors that have shaped the growing India-Australia relationship, giving special recognition to the Indian community’s contributions. “There are four reasons – PM Modi, Australia, the world, and all of you,” Jaishankar stated, applauding the diaspora’s warm welcome.
He also pointed out that the new consulate fulfills a promise made by Prime Minister Modi to the Indian community in Brisbane. “Your presence, effort, and contribution have made this consulate possible. I have come to redeem Prime Minister Modi’s promise, made in public, that he would open a consulate in Brisbane,” Jaishankar said, addressing the gathering.
The consulate in Brisbane is India’s fourth in Australia, marking another layer in India’s “comprehensive strategic partnership” with the country—a designation India reserves for select nations. Jaishankar praised the impact of the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) between the two countries, highlighting agreements on mobility, migration, and mutual recognition, including the recently signed MATES agreement.
Jaishankar’s Australian visit will also include co-chairing the 15th Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue (FMFD) with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and delivering the keynote address at the 2nd Raisina Down Under conference at the Australian Parliament House. He is scheduled to engage with Australian leaders, parliamentarians, and members of business, media, and think tanks to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation.
Following his stay in Australia, Jaishankar will travel to Singapore, where he will attend the 8th ASEAN-India Network of Think Tanks Roundtable and engage with Singaporean leaders to explore avenues for strengthening the India-Singapore partnership.
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