The former Australian PM said that China wants the whole world to be dependent on it but it wants to be independent of the world.
Former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said on Friday that China uses trade as a weapon in a way that almost no other country does.
The former Australian PM said that China wants the whole world to be dependent on it but it wants to be independent of the world. “China wants the rest of the world to be dependent on it and it wants to be completely independent for its part of the rest of the world. And this is part of the clearly stated objective of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) to be the world’s number one power by mid-century. And I think we have to appreciate that China uses trade as a weapon in a way that almost no other country does. So I think we have to be very conscious of just how exposed we could be,” Abbott said.
He was speaking at the panel discussion on ‘Materials that Matter: Battle for Securing Critical Supply Chains’ during Raisina Dialogue. Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Rajeev Chandrasekhar and Tadashi Maeda, Chairman of the Board, Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) also participated in the discussion.
“I think the pandemic was but a foretaste of what could happen. Look at the disruption which is currently being caused by the Ukraine war. Any conflict across the Straits of Taiwan would bring about disruption many orders of magnitude greater than the disruption caused by the Ukraine war. We can take supply chains for granted in an era of globalization and connectedness, we can’t take them for granted in a period of potential conflict between systems and powers. And I really think that every country right now has got to ask itself some very hard questions,” Abbott said.
Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a speech at a ceremony marking the 100th anniversary of the founding of the CPC in Beijing, July 1, 2021. (Xinhua/Ju Peng/IANS)
He said that Australia wants to be as helpful as it can be. “I think Australia has this great sense of mateship, global mateship, as well as local and insular mateship,” he said.
“We discovered during the pandemic when all of a sudden everyone in the world wanted masks, gloves, PPE, ventilators, antibiotics…there was none to be had, none to be had because everyone wanted it and most of it was coming from China. And so there was this mad, mad, desperate scramble. Eventually supply started to come into equilibrium. But if there was another period of great disruption, well, then this would go from something that is nice to do to something which is absolutely, 100 per cent vitally urgent,” he added.
The Ministry of External Affairs has organised the Raisina Dialogue in collaboration with the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) from March 2 to 4. (ANI)
Australian Foreign Minister opined that India is a critical power, great power in the region that there is no reshaping of the Indo-Pacific without India…reports Asian Lite News
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Friday lauded India as a “critical, great power” and said the country’s civilisation prowess brought a fresh perspective on dealing with current issues.
Wong participated in the Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting presided by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on the sidelines of Raisina Dialogue 2023 held in the national capital Delhi. Japanese foreign minister Yoshimasa Hayashi and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken were the other participants who attended the meeting of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) grouping.
“India is a critical power, great power in the region that there is no reshaping of the Indo-Pacific without India. We’ve seen that India is a civilisational power that brings a different perspective to some of the challenges of these time,” said Wong while replying to President of Observer Research Foundation (ORF) Samir Saran on Australia’s assessment of India’s growth.
Saran moderated the discussion on “The Quad Squad: Power and Purpose of the Polygon.”
Wong also explained how Quad can be a complimentary actor in Indo-Pacific.
“The complementarity of this configuration with the architecture of the region, I think is demonstrated from the Australian perspective by our geography and by our interest,” said the Australian FM.
Wong said that in terms of geography, Australia is the smallest economy, most southernmost economy, abounded on one side by the Indian Ocean, the other side by the Pacific, ASEAN, and particularly the northern countries of ASEAN.
“So for us, our interest lies in a world which is being reshaped, the region which is being reshaped — looking through this and the architecture of the region which I describe stable, peaceful, secure and respect the sovereignty. So our geography and our interest lead to a complementarity. I also believe there is tangible complementarity in the sense that there are things we engage — Pacific Islands nations, and countries of the ASEAN region and they are all aligned with our interest in economic involvement, prosperity, stability and protection of sovereignty,” said Wong.
Jaishankar, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi, and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong attended the Raisina Dialogue 2023 in Delhi organised by the Ministry of External Affairs and the ORF.
Earlier Blinken recognized that the Indo-Pacific region will shape the trajectory of the world in the 21st century.
“Good to break bread with my Quad colleagues in New Delhi today. Together, we recognize the Indo-Pacific region will shape the trajectory of the world in the 21st century and are committed to safeguarding its peace, stability, and growing prosperity,” tweeted Blinken ahead of the Quad meeting. (ANI)
The Italian PM lauded PM Modi for having the highest approval ratings in the world and said that he had proven to be the major leader of the world….reports Asian Lite News
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Thursday said that India as president of G20 may play a central role in facilitating the negotiation process for cessation of hostilities for “just peace” in Ukraine.
Addressing a joint press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Meloni added that Italy aimed to strengthen its partnership with India on defence and energy security, as well as cybersecurity and other areas. She added that PM Modi is among the “most loved leaders around the world.” The visiting Italian leader held talks on bilateral, regional and global issues with Prime Minister Modi at Hyderabad House in the national capital today.
“We hope that India having a G20 presidency can play a central role in facilitating a negotiating process for the cessation of hostilities (in Ukraine). Keeping the multilateral community together is important and we hope the Indian presidency can do it even more,” the Italian PM said.
“PM Modi knows he can rely on us, on our cooperation for the G20 summit, to further enhance our relationship. I believe there is a lot we can do together,” Meloni said.
PM Meloni said Italy wants to further boost this relation and “this is the reason why we have decided to turn our partnership into a strategic partnership because we have very solid relationship.”
The Italian Prime Minister said that India can very well represent in terms of even of leadership, represent the requirements of the countries of the Global South.
“And we definitely do want to give a helping hand along this process to India. Prime Minister Modi knows very well Italy’s position, which is giving full support to the territorial integrity of Ukraine,” she said.
“And I think that in the previous ballot G 20 summit, it has been important to hold the multilateral community united. And we hope that the Indian presidency can do even more on this and further confirm our friendship,” she added.
The Italian PM also lauded PM Modi for having the highest approval ratings in the world and said that he had proven to be the major leader of the world.
“I am not sure if this will lead me to the approval rating that Prime Minister Modi has reached. I think he’s the most loved one of all around the world. But, I mean, this has really proven that he has been a major leader,” Meloni said.
Referring to the trade ties with India, the Italian PM said it has touched a record figure of almost Euro 15 billion. She further stated that her government is planning to project intense activism in the Mediterranean sea, which is connected to the Indo-Pacific.
Emphasising the similarities between India and Italy, Meloni said, “We have many similarities. We are two peninsulas, we are 2000 old traditions, relatively younger states, and regions which have hard fought for their independence, for their freedom. So I think that there are many elements which bring us close to each other for the preservation of identity, which is one of the basic conditions to preserve the rights of one loan people. So there’s a lot to be working on together, starting from some sectors where we want to enhance our cooperation.”
She stated that India has set up major objectives in the work in terms of energy coming from renewables. “We are working on very important projects which are connecting our two respective countries on this. Technology and then emerging technologies, cybersecurity space, are all strategic issues, sectors in which we want to work together. And I think that much more can be done.
“As the Prime Minister was saying, we have decided to adhere to the Interpacific Oceans Initiative. And we have done so because we firmly believe that in an international scenario, which has to be based on rules, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, it is very important to guarantee stability and the vision of the Indo-Pacific which is open and respectful of the rules of sovereignty and integrity of the nations,” the Italian PM added.
Meloni was this morning welcomed by Prime Minister Modi at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan and was accorded a tri-services guard of honour.
“Today, we’re announcing the establishment of a ‘Start Up Bridge’ between India and Italy. We welcome this. There is one more sector wherein both the countries are beginning a new chapter, that is – defence cooperation,” PM Modi said after meeting with his Italian counterpart.
PM Modi also said that India and Italy are walking shoulder-to-shoulder and he held a detailed discussion with his Italian counterpart to further strengthen this cooperation.
“India has made it clear from the beginning that Ukraine dispute can be resolved through dialogue & diplomacy. We welcome Italy’s active participation in the Indo-Pacific region. It is a matter of happiness that Italy has decided to join the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative,” PM Modi said.
PM Modi also highlighted the fact that India and Italy were marking the establishment of 75 years of their bilateral relationship.
“India will further strengthen its relationship with Italy in the fields of renewable energy, hydrogen, IT, telecom, semiconductors and space,” PM Modi said in the joint press conference.
PM Modi also congratulated Meloni for becoming the first woman and youngest PM of Italy in last year’s elections.
Making her first visit to India, since she assumed office, Meloni paid her respects to Mahatma Gandhi by offering floral tributes at his memorial, Rajghat.
The Italian Prime Minister is the Chief Guest and Keynote Speaker at the eighth editon of the Raisina Dialogue 2023.
Meloni is being accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and a high-powered business delegation. (ANI)
Penny Wong said that Australia strongly supports India’s G20 presidency…reports Asian Lite News
Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong on Thursday said that Australia is continuing to strengthen its partnership with India, which is closer and more important than ever.
Senator Penny Wong, on Thursday, thanked External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar for welcoming Foreign Ministers to the G20 FMM. Following the G20 Foreign Minister’s Meet in Delhi on Thursday, Wong took to Twitter to express her gratitude towards her Indian counterpart.
In her tweet, Wong said that Australia strongly supports India’s G20 presidency.
“Thank you to my good friend S Jaishankar for welcoming Foreign Ministers to the G20 FMM today. Australia strongly supports India’s G20 presidency. We are continuing to strengthen our partnership – which is closer and more important than ever,” Senator Penny Wong tweeted.
Notably, the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting was held at Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre and nearly 40 delegations took part in the meeting.
This was the second ministerial meeting held under India’s Presidency so far. The first ministerial meeting of Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors was held in Bengaluru.
Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra said it is one of the largest gatherings of Foreign Ministers hosted by any G20 presidency.
At a press conference, Kwatra said, “The theme of India’s G20 presidency has been enunciated repeatedly as Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, roughly translating into One Earth, One Family, One Future. For India, the G20 presidency also marks the beginning of Amrit Kaal, which will lead to the centenary of our independence, towards a futuristic, prosperous, inclusive and developed society with a human-centric approach at its very core. This is also the spirit which propelled us to organise the Voice the Global South Summit in January earlier this year, which saw the participation of over 125 countries.”
Notably, this was Wong’s maiden visit to India and she was also preparing for her Prime Minister’s visit in India later in the month.
Australian PM Anthony Albanese, Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell and Minister for Resources Madeleine King will visit India this month. Later in 2023, PM Narendra Modi will travel to Australia to attend the Quad Leaders’ meeting.
Two-way mobility
India and Australia are deepening their ties through two-way mobility to fulfil 21st-century aspirations, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said on Wednesday.
Union Minister Pradhan and his Australian counterpart Jason Clare participated in student engagement programmes at Sri Venkateswara College, University of Delhi. The visiting Australian delegation led by Clare is in India from February 28 to March 4 to foster India-Australia relations in the field of education.
Addressing the gathering at the college, Pradhan said that India and Australia are deepening ties through two-way mobility to fulfil 21st-century aspirations. He said education is the natural ‘mother ‘ for all transformation and partnerships, the Ministry of Education said in a statement.
Pradhan further said that strengthening educational linkages will provide opportunities for students from both countries to learn and gain new experiences in diverse cultural settings, thereby truly upholding the values of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” or “One Earth, One Family and One Future”, which is also the theme of India’s G20 Presidency.
Pradhan informed that two Australian universities will soon establish campuses in the GIFT CITY of Gujarat, the statement read.
He reiterated that India remains committed to partner Australia to make quality education more accessible and affordable. (ANI)
India, Australia sign pact for recognition of qualifications
India and Australia signed a Framework Mechanism for Mutual Recognition of Qualifications that will help ease the mobility of students and professionals between the two countries. The agreement was signed following a bilateral meeting in New Delhi today between India’s Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and the Australian Education Minister Jason Clare.
The agreement is part of the commitment by Prime Ministers of both countries at the 2nd India-Australia Virtual Summit held on 21st March 2022, wherein they had agreed to establish a Joint Taskforce for mutual recognition of qualifications, the education ministry said. Secretary, School Education, Sanjay Kumar; Secretary, Higher Education, Sanjay Murthy and Secretary, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Atul Kumar Tiwari attended the meeting.
As per Education Ministry, a task force was accordingly set up consisting of senior officials of education and skill ministries and regulators on both sides. It has come up with a comprehensive mechanism that covers both education and skill qualifications of the two countries and will help facilitate two way mobility of young people for education and employment purposes by mutually recognizing various levels of education and skill qualifications.
While addressing media, Pradhan said that Australia and India are aligned to making the knowledge pillar a key aspect of the bilateral relationship.
He informed that both the countries agreed to create new frameworks of partnership to take our bilateral relations to new heights. He expressed his happiness that, as suggested by India, the scope of Australia India Education Council (AIEC) has been widened to also include cooperation in skill development.
Pradhan also invited Australian Education Minister Clare for the 7th Australia India Education and Skill Council (AIESC) meeting to be held in September and for the G20 Education Ministers’ Meeting in June this year.
The signing of G-to-G mechanism for mutual recognition of qualifications, the announcement of the IEIF Critical Skills Project and 11 institutional MoUs mark a landmark moment in educational relations between India and Australia. The developments today will create more opportunities for two-way mobility of students and professionals for the purpose of education and employment, and pave the way for making education the biggest enabler in taking India-Australia bilateral relationship to greater heights realise shared aspirations.
The Ministers had good conversations on further deepening the long-standing bilateral relations, invigorating the vibrant partnership and boosting engagements in education, skill development, deep-tech research and areas of mutual interest.
Addressing the joint media briefing, the Australian Minister Clare said that Australia is very keen to broaden the partnership between the two countries in the field of education as well as skilling.
He further added that the agreement signed will make it easier for students to study in each other’s countries and also provide recognition to various levels of education and skill qualifications. Appreciating the National Education Policy brought out by India, the Australian Minister said that it is breath-taking in scope and will transform India by giving a big push to jobs, businesses, economic productivity and creating opportunities in all areas.
He said that India has set the target of providing 50% of its youth with either higher education or skill education by 2035 and Australia would be privileged to partner with India in this program. The Australian Universities are enthusiastic to work with their Indian counterparts through the mechanism of joint/dual degrees or twinning of institutes that has been recently facilitated under NEP2020.
Australia wants to take forward the depth and seriousness of relationship between the two countries by fostering partnership in the education sector, the Australian Minister reiterated.
Replying to media queries, Clare said that the Australian government will be contributing 1.89 million dollars for running skills programme in India in the area of agriculture which is a critical sector for India.
He further informed that Australia is working on top priority basis to clear the pendency of education visas for Indian students.
Clare expressed his gratitude to Pradhan for the kind welcome and hospitality and said that he looks forward to their meeting later in the year.
In today’s bilateral meeting the two sides also discussed issues like promoting student mobility and enhancing research and academic collaborations between Indian and Australian universities through the mechanism of Joint/ Dual/ Twinning degrees that have been brought in recently under NEP2020.
In recent years, Australia has become one of the preferred destinations of Indian students for pursuing higher studies, and even more so for gaining vocational skills. There are talks to facilitate more Australian students to come to India especially for both short and longer-term study, internships and research.
There is immense potential between institutional collaboration between India and Australia especially in Higher Education, Skill development and training. Government of India has unrolled several initiatives to facilitate partnership with foreign institutions especially in the field of Higher education by facilitating Joint/Dual Degree programs. Australia is also a key partner in skill development and vocational training and both countries are working together on capacity building and training, identifying opportunities in key sectors for closer skill cooperation with a particular focus on new-age courses as per the changing needs and demographics across both the Nations.
Following NEP 2020, India has come up with new initiatives for promoting internationalization of education that include regulations for Joint/ Dual/ Twinning degrees and a draft regulation for setting up campuses of foreign universities in India. In addition, GIFT City in Gujarat has been opened up to foreign universities free from domestic regulations. Australian universities are actively exploring establishing campuses in GIFT City.
A number of institutional level MOUs were also exchanged between India and Australia’s university sectors today, which will promote research and academic collaborations between the two countries in several key sectors.
The higher education sectors of both India and Australia are excited to partner with each other as evidenced by the large delegation from Australia. These institutions are driving the bilateral cooperation between India and Australia across a wide range of fields – from bio-innovation to law to industry solutions.
Australian Education Minister Jason Clare is on a visit to New Delhi from February 28th, 2023 to March 4, 2023 to facilitate India-Australia relations in the field of education.
This is Minister Clare’s first overseas visit since becoming Education Minister and he aims to build upon the success of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s visit to Australia in August 2022.
He has come with a large delegation of vice chancellors of key Australian universities, five peak groups and a regulator. India and Australia already share very strong ties in the education sector. Education is also a very important pillar of India – Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Minister Clare’s visit is an important step in taking these relationships forward.
Minister Clare and his delegation also interacted with leading education business and industry representatives at an event organized by FICCI yesterday.
The visiting Australian Vice Chancellors participated in a round table to discuss “The changing face of higher education in India: Future directions and opportunities”.
They also participated in a round table in UGC today to discuss initiatives for the internationalization of education under NEP 2020 today.
Minister Clare and his team also visited Venkateswara College, Delhi University and Kendriya Vidyalaya, Delhi Cantt yesterday. Former Australian cricket captain Adam Gilchrist was also a part of the delegation.
The Minister and his team interacted with students at both institutions, played a friendly cricket match at the college, saw some innovations from school students in the Atal Tinkering Lab at Kendriya Vidyalaya and savoured cultural performances by students.
The two ministers also visited India Gate together last night. They took a walk through Kartavya Path and saw the Australian Dominion Column outside North Block which was gifted by Australia to India. It features a wattle blossom and has “Australia to India MCMXXX” inscribed on it. It is one of the four columns presented by dominions under British Empire as a symbol of friendship and unity.
Pradhan and Clare reaffirmed their commitment to enhance institutional collaboration and two-way mobility by exploring the delivery of transnational education in the higher education, skills and research sectors. (ANI)
Warner registered scores of 1, 10 and 15 in India in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy before being sent home to recover from a fractured elbow…reports Asian Lite News
Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting feels that David Warner missed the chance to end his Test career on his own terms after scoring double century against South Africa in Melbourne last year and opined that he should have pulled the pin after Sydney Test, which was his 101st match in the longest format of the game.
Warner registered scores of 1, 10 and 15 in India in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy before being sent home to recover from a fractured elbow. He has passed 50 just twice in his past 20 Test innings and doubts are being cast on his place in the Australian playing XI for Ashes in England.
The seasoned opener struggled in the 2019 series in England, averaging just 9.50 across five Tests with three ducks.
“For him to finish the way he deserves to finish, the obvious thing for me was maybe to pull the pin after Sydney. He got 200 in Melbourne, played his 100th Test, played his 101 Test in Sydney, his home ground and maybe finish there,” Ponting told RSN Cricket.
“The last thing he deserved is to be away on a tour and get into the middle of a series and get dropped and his career is over. That would be an awful way for him to finish. He’s a driven little man, a pretty stubborn little bugger, so we’ll see how he goes,” he added.
After returning to Sydney last week from India, Warner has said that he had ‘no intention’ of retiring. Reacting to it, Ponting said Warner might make it to the World Test Championship final before the Ashes, but that could be the curtains to his Test career.
“I think I’ve heard him talk before about their cycle. This current cycle will finish after the World Test Championship, which is obviously the week before the first Ashes Test and I would think all going well that they want to get David through until the end of that Test match at least, ” the former skipper said.
“It’s up to him though. The only currency you have as a batsman is runs and if you’re not scoring any you leave yourself open.
It’s happened to all of us, it happened to me. When you get to a certain age and it looks like your form is dropping off slightly, then the knives are sharpened and it doesn’t take long,” he added.
Pradhan said that India and Australia are deepening ties through two-way mobility to fulfil 21st-century aspirations….reports Asian Lite News
India and Australia are deepening their ties through two-way mobility to fulfil 21st-century aspirations, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said on Wednesday, according to an official statement
Union Minister Pradhan and his Australian counterpart Jason Clare participated in student engagement programmes at Sri Venkateswara College, University of Delhi in the morning today. The visiting Australian delegation led by Clare is in India from February 28 to March 4 to foster India-Australia relations in the field of education.
Addressing the gathering at the college, Pradhan said that India and Australia are deepening ties through two-way mobility to fulfil 21st-century aspirations. He said education is the natural ‘mother ‘ for all transformation and partnerships, the Ministry of Education said in a statement.
Pradhan further said that strengthening educational linkages will provide opportunities for students from both countries to learn and gain new experiences in diverse cultural settings, thereby truly upholding the values of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” or “One Earth, One Family and One Future”, which is also the theme of India’s G20 Presidency.
Pradhan informed that two Australian universities will soon establish campuses in the GIFT CITY of Gujarat, the statement read.
He reiterated that India remains committed to partner Australia to make quality education more accessible and affordable.
Australian High Commissioner to India Barry O’ Farrell, former International Cricketer Adam Gilchrist, who is also a Global Brand Ambassador of the University of Wollongong and a delegation comprising Vice Chancellors/ Provosts of 21 Australian Universities also attended the event.
Meanwhile, Clare said that this is a high-powered delegation comprising educational policymakers and university administrative stakeholders that shall pave way for collaborative tie-ups with India. What happens in universities can change the world as the power of education not only changes the lives of individuals but transforms nations.
He said that many Australians who have been educated at the University of Delhi are now making a mark in the world. Australia is a different country today than what it was 50 years ago and that is because of education. He said that the University of Delhi has a Memorandum of Understandings with three Australian Universities, the University of Wollongong, Macquarie University and Melbourne University, the statement added.
“Tomorrow 10 new MOUs will be signed, he informed. Such educational MoUs between the two countries will pave way for setting up a mechanism for mutual recognition of professionalism too,” the Australian Minister said.
Minister Clare also expressed his thanks and gratitude to Minister Pradhan for his kind welcome and hospitality and said that he looks forward to their meeting again at Australia- India Education and Skills Council to be held later this year. (ANI)
The G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting (FMM) is scheduled to take place in physical format from March 1-2, 2023 in New Delhi under India’s presidency…reports Asian Lite News
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong arrived in India to attend the G20 Foreign Ministers’ meeting and Raisina Dialogue.
Before her visit, Wong, in a statement, said, “This week I will travel to Malaysia and India to advance Australia’s bilateral relationships and promote Australia’s interests in a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.” Weng said she looks forward to working with her counterparts on how they can address contemporary international challenges, including strengthening the multilateral system, food and energy security, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. She stated that Australia strongly supports India’s G20 Presidency and welcomes India’s ambitious, action-oriented G20 agenda under the theme ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’.
Further, in the press release, Wong stated, “This will be my first visit to India as Foreign Minister, and I look forward to meeting my counterparts at the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi.”
The G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting (FMM) is scheduled to take place in physical format from March 1-2, 2023 in New Delhi under India’s presidency.
The New Delhi meeting will be attended by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly. In all, representatives of 40 countries, including non-G20 members invited by India, and multilateral organisations will attend.
She said, “While in New Delhi, I will also attend the 2023 Raisina Dialogue, India’s premier forum for addressing the most challenging issues facing our regional and global community”, adding, “This year is an important milestone in Australia’s bilateral relationship with India, with many high-level Ministerial visits between our two countries.”
Meanwhile, Raisina Dialogue is all set to take place from March 2-4, 2023 at the Taj Palace Hotel, Diplomatic Enclave, New Delhi.
Wong said Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell and Minister for Resources Madeleine King will travel to India over the next month. She further stated Australia looks forward to hosting Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he attends the Quad Leaders’ meeting.
External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar meets Penny Wong, Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs in Sydney
EAM Dr S Jaishankar gifts her a cricket bat signed by Indian captain Rohit Sharma. pic.twitter.com/VpzPiKHTZt
Wong said her visit to Malaysia will reaffirm shared priorities under Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Wong stressed that she looks forward to holding introductory meetings with members of the new Malaysian government, including the Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Economy. She noted that Australia is committed to working with Malaysia to support ASEAN’s contribution to regional peace and security.
“These meetings will focus on advancing our significant trade and economic links, cooperation on defence and regional security, and the close ties between our peoples,” Wong stated in the press release.
On February 18, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar called on Wong in Sydney. Jaishankar gifted her a cricket bat signed by Indian captain Rohit Sharma while his Australian counterpart gifted him an Australian cricket jersey with ‘Jaishankar’ written on it. (ANI)
New Delhi: Delhi Police Special Cell officers escort Rajwinder Singh to Patiala Court after being arrested for the 2018 murder of Australian national Toyah Cordingley in Australia's Queensland state, in New Delhi on Friday, Nov. 25, 2022. (Photo: Wasim Sarvar/IANS)
Rajwinder Singh, who is being flown from Delhi to Melbourne accompanied by detectives, is accused of killing Toyah Cordingley…reports Asian Lite News
Police in Australia are extraditing an Indian man over the murder of a woman who was found dead on a Queensland beach in 2018, authorities said, adding that he is expected to arrive in Melbourne on Wednesday.
Rajwinder Singh, who is being flown from Delhi to Melbourne accompanied by detectives, is accused of killing Toyah Cordingley, reports the BBC.
According to detectives, Cordingley, 24, had gone to Wangetti Beach, between the popular tourist hotspots of Cairns and Port Douglas, to walk her dog on October 21, 2018, but never came home.
Her body was discovered by her father the next day, half-buried in sand dunes.
The BBC report said that the 38-year-old accused will first have to appear in court in the state of Victoria, before being moved to Queensland where the crime took place.
He will then face a magistrate in Brisbane, probably later this week, before being remanded in custody.
Singh was arrested in Delhi in November last year, after the Queensland government put up a A$1 million ($672,000) reward for information.
Originally from Buttar Kalan in Punjab, Singh had been living in Innisfail at the time of the murder which is about two hours from the crime scene.
Australian police have alleged that the accused fled the country just hours after the murder and had been staying in Punjab since evading arrest.
At the time of Singh’s arrest, Queensland Police Minister Mark Ryan said the development had been “a long time coming” and marked “the next stage of delivering justice for Toyah”.
Canberra, January 26 (ANI): Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong tweeted this picture with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar as a form of extending greetings on the occasion of India's 74th Republic Day, on Thursday. (ANI Photo)
Wong said Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell and Minister for Resources Madeleine King will travel to India over the next month…reports Asian Lite News
Australia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong, will this week travel to India and Malaysia. Wong stated that she looks forward to meeting her counterparts at the G20 Foreign Ministers meeting in New Delhi.
She will also attend the 2023 Raisina Dialogue. “This week I will travel to Malaysia and India to advance Australia’s bilateral relationships and promote Australia’s interests in a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region,” Penny Wong said in the press release.
Weng said she looks forward to working with her counterparts on how they can address contemporary international challenges, including strengthening the multilateral system, food and energy security, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. She stated that Australia strongly supports India’s G20 Presidency and welcomes India’s ambitious, action-oriented G20 agenda under the theme ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’.
Further, in the press release, Wong stated, “This will be my first visit to India as Foreign Minister, and I look forward to meeting my counterparts at the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi.”
She said, “While in New Delhi, I will also attend the 2023 Raisina Dialogue, India’s premier forum for addressing the most challenging issues facing our regional and global community”, adding, “This year is an important milestone in Australia’s bilateral relationship with India, with many high-level Ministerial visits between our two countries.”
Wong said Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell and Minister for Resources Madeleine King will travel to India over the next month. She further stated Australia looks forward to hosting Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he attends the Quad Leaders’ meeting.
Wong said her visit to Malaysia will reaffirm shared priorities under Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Wong stressed that she looks forward to holding introductory meetings with members of the new Malaysian government, including the Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Economy. She noted that Australia is committed to working with Malaysia to support ASEAN’s contribution to regional peace and security.
Our Foreign Minister Mr Jaishankar is certainly a man of good taste. Observe the bat he is gifting to his Australian counterpart today. pic.twitter.com/9t6LhzYIcg
“These meetings will focus on advancing our significant trade and economic links, cooperation on defence and regional security, and the close ties between our peoples,” Wong stated in the press release.
On February 18, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar called on Wong in Sydney. Jaishankar gifted her a cricket bat signed by Indian captain Rohit Sharma while his Australian counterpart gifted him an Australian cricket jersey with ‘Jaishankar’ written on it. (ANI)
Mooney scored the highest for Australia with 74 runs off 53 balls while Ashleigh Gardner played a helping knock of 29 off 21 deliveries…reports Asian Lite News
A half-century by batter Beth Mooney and brilliant death bowling helped Australia clinch their sixth ICC Women’s T20 World Cup title, as they defeated South Africa by 19 runs despite a valiant knock from opener Laura Wolvaardt in the final at Cape Town on Sunday.
In the chase of 157, South Africa was not off to a good start. Darcie Brown took the first wicket, dismissing an in-form Tazmin Brits for just 10 off 17 balls after Tahlia McGrath caught her at mid-on. SA was 17/1 in 5 overs. Aussie bowlers had restricted the hosts’ run-flow during the key powerplay overs. At the end of the powerplay after six overs, SA desperately needed an uptick in their run rate as they were at 22/1, with Marizanne Kapp (4*), joining opener Laura Wolvaardt (7*).
The hosts were looking to get to the 50-run mark without any further damage, but Ashleigh Gardner struck, dismissing Kapp for 10 off 17 balls. South Africa was 46/2 after Darcie’s catch ended Kapp’s stay at the crease.
At the end of 10 overs, SA was 52/2, with skipper Sune Luus (1*) joining Wolvaardt (28*) at the crease.
However, Luus’s stay at the crease was short as well. Australia continued making further inroads into the match, running her out for two runs. Hosts desperately needed a partnership, as they were at 54/3 in 10.4 overs.
Tahlia’s second over and overall the 13th over of SA innings helped relieve some pressure due to a couple of no balls. One of the free hits was smashed for a six. 14 runs came from the over, taking the total to 73/3. The next over by Georgia Wareham also gave away 15 runs, taking the total to 88/3 in 14 overs. Proteas needed 69 in the final six overs.
Laura brought up her half-century in 43 balls with a four, the knock consisted of four boundaries and three sixes.
Schutt ended Laura’s 48-ball stay at the crease, trapping her lbw for 62 consisting of five fours and three sixes. SA was 109/4 in 16.3 overs.
Australia continued to make a comeback, with Jess Jonassen dismissing a well-set Chloe Tryon for 25 off 23 balls and Anneke Bosch being run out for one by duo of Ellyse Perry and Healy for one. SA was 122/6 in 18 and needed 35 in the final two overs.
The equation boiled down to 27 in the final over. Australia defended these runs easily, winning the match by 19 runs. Nadine de Klerk was unbeaten at 7 while wicketkeeper-batter Sinalo Jafta was unbeaten at 8. SA ended at 137/6.
Schutt, Gardner, Darcie Brown and Jonassen each took a wicket.
Earlier, a brilliant display of batting by Beth Mooney helped Australia post 156/6 against hosts South Africa in the summit clash of the ongoing ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 here at Newlands in Cape Town on Sunday.
Mooney scored the highest for Australia with 74 runs off 53 balls while Ashleigh Gardner played a helping knock of 29 off 21 deliveries. For South Africa, Shabnim Ismail and Marizanne Kapp bagged two wickets while Nonkululeko Mlaba and Chloe Tryon scalped one wicket apiece.
Shabnim Ismail was the pick of the bowlers, taking 2/26 in her four overs and becoming the leading wicket-taker in the history of the Women’s T20 World Cup in the process.
Opting to bat first, Australia’s openers made it through a tense opening few overs, but Alyssa Healy was the first wicket to fall for 18 when Nadine de Klerk held on to a chance off the bowling of Marizanne Kapp.
Australia opted to promote Ash Gardner ahead of Meg Lanning in the batting line-up, but a stunning maiden over from Shabnim Ismail ensured the score was just 36/1 at the end of the Powerplay.
The decision to promote Gardner up the order did pay off, with the all-rounder smashing consecutive sixes as she upped the scoring rate. And the total had stretched to 73/1 by the time drinks were taken midway through the innings.
It looked like Gardner was in a position to take the game away from South Africa, but spin-bowling all-rounder Chloe Tryon broke the stand, sending Gardner packing for 29 from 21 balls thanks to an excellent catch from Sune Luus.
And Australia again took the aggressive option with their flexible batting line-up, pushing the powerful Grace Harris up the order.
Harris has a phenomenal strike-rate in her T20I career, but couldn’t really get going and fell victim to Nonlululeko Mlaba for 10 from 9 balls. And Meg Lanning, coming in at number five, was able to add just 10 from 11 before she was caught off Kapp to leave Australia in danger of posting a below-par total.
In the last over, Ismail struck twice to dismiss Ellyse Perry and Georgia Wareham to restrict Australia to 156/6 in the first innings of the World Cup final at Newlands.
Brief Scores: South Africa: 137/6 (Laura Wolvaardt 61, Chloe Tryon 25, Ashleigh Gardner 1/20) lost to Australia: 156/6 (Beth Mooney 74*, Gardner 29, Shabnim Ismail 2/26). (ANI)
