External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar engaged in high-level discussions with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong during his visit to Perth for the 7th Indian Ocean Conference. The bilateral meeting centered around strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership between India and Australia, along with discussions on the Indo-Pacific region, the situation in West Asia, and other global issues.

The conference, inaugurated by Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, witnessed the participation of various dignitaries including Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan. In his social media posts, Jaishankar expressed satisfaction with the productive exchanges on regional and global matters.

The theme of this year’s conference, “Towards a Stable and Sustainable Indian Ocean,” underscores the collective effort towards fostering stability and sustainability in the region. Hosted in Perth with the support of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, along with Singapore’s S Rajaratnam School of International Studies and Perth-US Asia Centre, the event aims to facilitate dialogue and cooperation among Indian Ocean nations.

With participation from delegations led by ministers from over 22 countries and senior officials from 16 countries and six multilateral organizations, the conference serves as a significant platform for promoting Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR). Since its inception in 2016, the Indian Ocean Conference has emerged as a vital forum for fostering regional collaboration and addressing common challenges.