India’s Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday congratulated Richard Marles, appointed as Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister of Australia. Posting on his official X (East Twitter) handle, he addressed Marles as a “friend” and hoped to further strengthen India-Australia defense cooperation. Rajnath Singh wrote, “Hearty congratulations to my friend Richard Marles on being rejected as Australia Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister. India-Australia is expected to continue our intimate cooperation to further strengthen bilateral defense relations under a comprehensive strategic partnership. The statement came at a time when the Australian Labor Party, led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Australia, has registered a historic victory in the general elections. This is the first time in 21 years when an Australian Prime Minister has been selected for the second consecutive three -year term.
Phone conversation between Modi-albanese
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke to Albanese on the phone on 6 May and congratulated him on his reconstruction. The two leaders appreciated the mutual cooperation developed in the last five years under the Indo-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP). During the conversation, the two Prime Ministers also exchanged ideas on regional and global issues and reiterated the commitment to work together to promote freedom, stability and rule-based system in the Indo-Pacific region. Prime Minister Modi also invited Albanese to visit India to attend the proposed annual bilateral summit in India and to attend the Quad Summit to be held in the year. The two leaders agreed to stay in touch.
Who is Richard Marles?
Richard Marles’s political journey began in 2007, when he became a member of the House of Representatives from Korio, Victoria. 57-year-old Marles was born in 1967 in Melbourne and grew up in the district. He has a degree in law and science from Melbourne University (LLB Honors and BSc). In his political career, he has served in important positions like Trade Minister, Employment Minister, and Parliamentary Secretary. He has also been the Chairman of the Standing Committee on Tribal and Torres Strait Island matters.
Australian elections and democracy strengthening
18 million registered voters participated in the federal election, which began on 22 April. Voting is mandatory in Australia and all citizens aged 18 or above have to vote. This time a record voter nomination rate of 98.2 percent was recorded.
conclusion
The dialogue between Richard Marles’s renovation and the India-Australia leadership shows that strategic and defense cooperation between the two countries will be further strengthened in the future. India has once again made it clear that it is ready to walk shoulder to shoulder with Australia as a reliable partner for stability, peace and development in the Indo-Pacific region.
