India-Australia 2 + 2 Ministerial on Monday amid Canberra’s efforts to improve ties with Beijing
India and Australia are expected to hold their 2 + 2 (Foreign & Defence Minister) Ministerial here on Monday eyeing to expand the strategic partnership even as the Australian PM sought to improve Canberra’s ties with China during his recent visit to Beijing.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Defence Minister Richard Marles would engage with their Indian counterparts S Jaishankar and Rajnath Singh respectively threadbare on the situation in the Pacific region and SE Asia where China has upped the ante.
India has been closely following efforts by Australia to improve its ties with China after a downturn in relations over the past few years, ET has learnt.
It is hoped that Canberra will not initiate any steps that could enable Beijing to bolster its military ambitions in the Indo-Pacific region.
It is learnt that Marles, who is also Australia's deputy prime minister, and Wong may watch the Cricket World Cup final between India and Australia in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
The two sides are expected to focus on boosting overall defence and security ties and boost strategic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region in the «2+2» ministerial dialogue. Both Australia and India are part of the Quad.
The inaugural «2+2' ministerial dialogue between India and Australia had taken place in September 2021.
