EAM S. Jaishankar holds talks with Australian counterpart Marise Payne

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has welcomed the reopening of the Australian border which will help stranded Indian students and visa holders to return to Australia. Australia is set to open its border for fully vaccinated tourists and all visa holders, almost two years after borders were first closed due to COVID-19.

Key Highlights

• Addressing a joint press conference with his Australian counterpart Marise Payne in Melbourne, Mr Jaishankar said, it will help those who have been in India waiting to come back, especially students, temporary visa holders and separated families and this is something which is greatly appreciated.

• Dr Jaishankar said the discussion with his Australian counterpart was very comprehensive and very fruitful. He said, both sides looked at a very wide range of topics concerning the bilateral, regional and global partnership.

• Dr Jaishankar said, India and Australia have committed to build more trusted and resilient supply chains and ensure broad and inclusive growth in the Indo-Pacific.

• Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne announced the ‘Maitri Scholars Program under which it will provide over  11 million dollars for four years to support Indian students to study in Australia’s world-leading universities.

• Ms Payne said that QUAD is not against anything, the group has a very positive agenda, it is about building resilience and about promoting a region without the threat of coercion or intimidation.

SOURCE: The Indian Express

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