Jaishankar Congratulates Penny Wong on Reappointment, Reaffirms Zero Tolerance for Terrorism
India, Australia discuss deepening ties, regional stability, and counter-terrorism during post-reappointment call
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Sunday congratulated his Australian counterpart Penny Wong on her reappointment as Foreign Minister and reiterated India’s commitment to deepening bilateral ties with Australia across multiple domains, including counter-terrorism, strategic cooperation, and regional stability.
Taking to social media platform X, Jaishankar wrote, “Spoke to @SenatorWong. Congratulated her on being reappointed as Foreign Minister of Australia. Discussed the importance of zero tolerance for terrorism. Also exchanged views on our bilateral cooperation and regional and global issues.”
The phone conversation comes as both nations continue to enhance their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The ministers reaffirmed shared values such as democratic governance, a rules-based international order, and regional peace in the Indo-Pacific. They also reviewed progress in key areas including defense, science and technology, renewable energy, critical minerals, and maritime cooperation.
A significant focus of the discussion was the commitment to a zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism. This comes in the backdrop of heightened concerns over global terror networks and the misuse of international platforms for spreading extremist ideologies.
The ministers also exchanged views on regional and global issues, including developments in the Indo-Pacific, where India and Australia have been closely cooperating through forums such as the Quad, alongside the United States and Japan. The two leaders emphasized the importance of upholding freedom of navigation and promoting connectivity and resilience in the region.
Jaishankar’s outreach underscores India’s intention to maintain high-level diplomatic engagement with Australia, a key partner in both bilateral and multilateral settings. Their conversation is also seen as a continuation of efforts to strengthen strategic ties amidst evolving geopolitical challenges and security threats. Both ministers agreed to remain in close contact and work together to further the shared vision for a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific region.
