Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs of India: Let me welcome you to this 17th Framework Dialogue. We have the responsibility of overseeing the workings of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership that we have. In the last meeting here though, we've actually seen a number of positive developments. Our prime ministers met in November, we had the pleasure of hosting the Speaker here in January. A somewhat complex ministerial architecture is working: different ministers and ministries meeting each other.
Where trade and investment is concerned we've been holding discussions to move from the ECTA to the CECA. On the energy side, we have energy trade, we are looking to expand that as well into the uranium supplies. Our own nuclear sector has undergone reform, which will grow nuclear energy. Our teams have been in discussion on critical minerals as well. Our defence exchange and exercises again have been taking place, maritime cooperation has been the centrepiece of that. We've had some talks on space cooperation. Sports is an issue which is again very much on the radar, and of course, we've had a very good morning today at the Quad meeting. This evening I'd like to discuss the rest of the world, our neighbourhood, your neighbourhood, the rest of the world and the multilaterals of which we are both part. So, once again a very, very warm welcome.
Penny Wong, Foreign Minister: Thank you very much, and can I thank you for hosting this 17th Framework Dialogue and this is our 28th meeting in person together. As you know, I quite often say to people, I have met you more than any other foreign minister and that is because we like each other but it also reflects the value that we place on the relationship between our two countries. This is the world's largest democracy, the fastest growing large economy, you're a global power, and you're central to the reshaping of the region. So, we recognise that this is a relationship that is closer and more consequential than ever.
We've spoken previously, including the point about strategic trust, and that is the basis of our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. We value that relationship particularly at this time, and we are committed to remaining a reliable partner. We do meet at a time when there's obviously a very substantial disruption in energy markets that has had an impact on your economy and your people, and certainly have an impact on ours and we have achieved a commitment to energy security. We're important energy partners to one another - you supply us with refined fuel that helps power our mining, energy, agricultural sectors. We provide you with coal and iron ore, which help underpin the Make in India program.
On the defence security front, as you've spoken about, we have deepened our defence and security cooperation. And of course, the heart of our partnership is our people, and around a million Australians trace their heritage to India. They are such an important community for us, such an important part of our multicultural fabric. And in addition, we welcome many students, tourists and visitors from your country.
I'm very honoured to be here, and I'm really looking forward to the work we will do together here and beyond. The Prime Minister is very much looking forward to welcoming Prime Minister Modi to Australia.
