অস্ট্রেলিয়া খুব প্রিয় জায়গা তাই এখানে বারবার আসি: এস জয়শঙ্কর
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00:00I like Australia, which is why I keep coming back, but I do want to say in many ways today
00:07is a landmark moment and certainly a milestone in our increasingly strong bilateral relationship.
00:18The Consulate General here is a realization of a promise that Prime Minister Modi made
00:26to the Indian community in Australia in the presence of Prime Minister Agnesi last year.
00:33It is an acknowledgement as well of the growing importance of the state of Queensland, which
00:39holds such an important place in many ways in our burgeoning ties.
00:50The majority of our bilateral trade, I think many of you know, is driven by the Sunshine State.
00:57Our diaspora is strong and growing and it is very visible here today in the room.
01:03I was privileged yesterday to meet some of you at the University of Queensland and certainly
01:10it was an occasion to highlight how Indian students today are present in educational
01:20institutions in Australia broadly and Queensland specifically.
01:26I am very sure that the Consul General and her team will serve the growing diaspora and
01:31students well.
01:33They will promote ties in economy, in education and research.
01:38And with the new consulate, I also want to tell the Indian community and people of Indian
01:43origin resident in Australia that your consular needs would be addressed in a timely manner
01:51and with much greater convenience.
01:55And again, like the Honorable Governor, I take the opportunity to thank our Honorary
02:00Consul earlier for her long-standing services.
02:05This is my first visit to Brisbane.
02:10It's my fifth to Australia in the last three years and, you know, I, of course, I like
02:18Australia, which is why I keep coming back, but I do want to say in many ways my visit,
02:26my visits are also reflection really of the growing intensity of our cooperation.
02:34I think what we have seen in the last many years is that led personally by the Prime
02:40Ministers, our ties have actually undergone a transformation.
02:45I don't use that word lightly.
02:48The Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement, ECTA, is one indication of that.
02:55It has certainly opened up huge trade opportunities for our countries and we hope to take that
03:03to the next level.
03:05And I mention that because I also do recall that Queensland actually accounts for the
03:12vast majority of exports from Australia to India.
03:19So we certainly see a very, very promising economic future for our partnership and I'm
03:26sure that the Consulate will help make that happen more speedily.
03:33People-to-people bonds, of course, are the driving force of our comprehensive strategic
03:38partnership.
03:40We have today in Australia a diaspora which is coming close, I think, to a million people
03:46and certainly making its contribution to the vibrant and multicultural society here.
03:53I'm very pleased to see that the community has earned great respect for itself in this
04:00country and, you know, as we look across different domains, you can see whether it is in academia
04:09or research or technology, business, healthcare, they have actually not just achieved excellence
04:16but really made a name for themselves.
04:20And what I want to emphasize today is that by doing so, they also are in a position today
04:29to contribute to building bonds between India and Australia and we certainly hope that this
04:36living bridge between our two countries would play its due part as our relationship grows.
04:44Having said that, I do make the point that, you know, as part of the multicultural identity
04:53of this country, we are very confident that the Consulate will also support cultural activities
05:01and other endeavors which will allow the Indian community here to be in touch with its roots
05:08and preserve its culture, heritage and traditions.
05:13So let me conclude by thanking you all for joining us today.
05:17I particularly thank the leadership of the State of Queensland, the Governor General,
05:22the Ministers, other dignitaries present and I can see from my very brief state that the
05:31Consul General would be received with great warmth and will be extended the fullest support
05:36to realize her mission and I thank you in advance.