India’s External Affairs Minister has indicated that New Delhi is comfortable with Australia’s plan to develop nuclear powered submarines, declaring that India backs the international nuclear watchdog’s handling of the issue.

In an interview with the ABC, Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar also acknowledged that economic ties between Australia and India remain underdone, while predicting a new interim trade agreement between the two countries will help booster the business relationship.

He flagged that India is likely to boost its diplomatic presence and aid programme in the Pacific in the future as its economy grows.

The External Affairs Minister met with Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong and senior officials in Canberra for formal talks on the first leg of his visit to Australia on Monday.

Canberra and Delhi have rapidly beefed up strategic and security ties over the last decade, including through the Quad leaders meeting and an expanded array of joint military exercises.

Dr Jaishankar said the expanding contact between top brass in both countries showed India viewed Australia as a “serious, professional and comfortable partner”.

He didn’t disagree when the ABC suggested senior Australian officials and military officers wouldn’t have been able to get the same sustained access to the top levels of the Indian system only a decade ago.

Story By: ABC News

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