Today I announce the appointment of Mr Bernard Lynch as Australia's next Consul-General in Kolkata.
Australia's partnership with India is stronger, deeper and more consequential than ever, underpinned by the connections between our peoples.
We are Comprehensive Strategic Partners and Quad partners with a shared vision for the Indo-Pacific region.
We are broadening the economic, strategic and community ties between our two countries. Under A New Roadmap for Australia's Economic Engagement with India, Australia is committed to growing and diversifying its economic relationship with India.
Australia's economic links with West Bengal and neighbouring states are substantial and expanding, particularly in Mining Equipment, Technology and Services (METS) and skilling.
The Australian Consulate-General in Kolkata advances Australia's interests across eastern and northeastern India; including the states of West Bengal, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Sikkim, and Tripura.
Mr Lynch is a career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and was most recently Australia's Ambassador to Jordan. He has also previously served overseas in Saudi Arabia, Timor-Leste, Indonesia and Iran.
I thank former Consul-General Mr Hugh Boylan and acting Consul-General Mr Kevin Goh for their contributions to advancing Australia's interests in Kolkata.
