Penny Wong arrived in New Delhi with the easy familiarity of someone who has made the journey many times. She described it as her twenty-sixth in-person meeting with India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr S Jaishankar, a figure that neatly captures how steadily the relationship has grown. She called the partnership “never been closer, nor more consequential,” pointing to a world marked by sharper competition and less predictability.
Her central message was straightforward. Australia sees India as a crucial partner across the Indo-Pacific. “We’re Comprehensive Strategic Partners, and we both share a vision of a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” she said. Wong spoke of using every available channel, from bilateral talks to the Quad and multilateral forums, to help shape the region. She highlighted India’s growing weight as “the most populous economy, the fastest growing large economy,” and said the strategic alignment between the two countries is strengthening.
Wong emphasised that Australia wants to draw on every part of the relationship, from trade to people-to-people ties. The ongoing push for a new Free Trade Agreement sits alongside the role of the Indian diaspora in Australia. “We are so benefited by the million Indian-Australians in our country who make such a contribution to Australian society,” she said. Her view was that trusted partners must work together at a time when the regional order is shifting, and she made clear that today’s talks with Dr Jaishankar were aimed at that task.
Russian oil was always going to come up. Wong repeated Australia’s firm position on the need to prevent any contribution to what she called “the Russian war machine.” She said Australia’s sanctions and trade measures were designed to cut off revenue linked to the conflict in Ukraine. She also urged businesses to ensure their supply chains did not indirectly support Russia. Against that backdrop, she welcomed steps announced by Reliance Industries to stop receiving shipments of Russian oil at the Jamnagar refinery. “We are very pleased at these steps, and we thank Reliance for not only these measures, but also their positive engagement at this stage,” she said.
Asked whether she expected India to respond to Australia’s pressure on Russian oil, Wong acknowledged the complexity. “We understand that India has its relationship with Russia,” she said. Australia’s own position, she stressed, had been transparent and consistent.
Questions then shifted to Russia’s wider ties with India, including reports of cooperation on stealth fighter technology. Wong was careful not to overstate concerns. “India has its national interests and makes its choices. So does Australia,” she said.
On cyber sanctions, she confirmed recent actions against Russian networks responsible for intrusions, describing them as part of a broader effort to strengthen international norms. She did not outline which Australian entities had been targeted, saying she was not in a position to provide those details, but she noted the ongoing work between government and the private sector to build resilience.
Attention then turned briefly to Afghanistan. Wong was firm that Australia had no intention of recognising the Taliban, despite increasing engagement between Kabul and several of Australia’s partners.
The Quad was another recurring topic. India had been expected to host a leaders’ summit this year, but the gathering did not eventuate. Wong argued the format remained strong, pointing out the group had already met twice at foreign minister level. She said the Quad continues to “contribute to the stability of the region” and invests in public goods. She added that Australia welcomed the prospect of a leaders’ meeting next year.
A question about the Trump administration’s approach to India prompted a measured response. Wong noted the ongoing negotiations between Washington and New Delhi, especially on trade, and restated Australia’s longstanding position against tariffs. She avoided commentary on the broader tone of US-India engagement but emphasised that both India and the United States are central to any peaceful Indo-Pacific future.
She also turned to the questions surrounding COP31 and the joint arrangement with Türkiye. Pacific leaders have voiced disappointment, prompting scrutiny over whether Australia had pushed hard enough. Wong said the effort had been exhaustive. She praised the advocacy of Pacific nations, describing their diplomatic work as “extraordinary,” and argued that the emerging compromise would still place Pacific concerns at the centre of the summit.
Wong was asked whether splitting the presidency risked diluting momentum. Wong countered that without agreement, the process risked shifting to Bonn without meaningful Pacific or Australian involvement. The focus, she said, was ensuring Pacific priorities remained central.
Wong closed by reinforcing the central message of her visit: the region is changing, and Australia sees India as a steady, necessary partner as both countries navigate that uncertainty.
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