Diplomatist Magazine Diplomatist March 2019

SPECIAL REPORT State Visit of President Kovind to Australia A t the invitation of the Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia Sir Peter Cosgrove, President of the Republic of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind paid a State Visit to the Dominion of Australia from 21-24 November 2018. This was the ﬁ rst ever visit by an Indian President to Australia. President Kovind was accompanied by Shri Anant Kumar Hegde, Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Members of Parliament and senior oﬃ cials of the Government of India. On 21 November at Sydney, President Kovind laid a wreath at the ANZAC Memorial and paid homage to fallen soldiers who made the supreme sacriﬁ ce during World War I. On the same day in the evening he addressed the Indian community in Sydney. The Indian community in Australia is over half a million strong and over 80,000 Indian students are studying in various educational institutions of Australia. President Kovind was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Admiralty House, the oﬃ cial residence of Governor-General Cosgrove, which was followed by a meeting. The Governor General also hosted a banquet lunch in the honour of the President. Prime Minister of Australia Mr Scott Morrison made a courtesy call on the President on 22 November 2018. During his discussion with Australian leaders, the President highlighted the close and cordial relations between the two nations and the increasing convergence of interests on international issues. He reiterated India’s commitment to further strengthen the close ties and long-standing friendship underpinned by vibrant people-to-people contacts. Noting the steady growth in the bilateral economic cooperation between the two countries, the President highlighted the need to further strengthen economic engagement, especially on the investment front. The President conveyed India’s decision to contribute additional AUD 10 million matching funds over the next four years towards Australia India Strategic Research Fund. The leaders expressed satisfaction with regular high-level contacts between the two countries that has given a new momentum and energy to the bilateral ties between the two nations. The Australian leadership was appreciative of the positive role played by the Indian community in the national development of Australia. As part of the ongoing 150th Birth Anniversary celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi, the President unveiled the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Parramatta in New South Wales and addressed a large gathering of the Indian Diaspora and local community. Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Lord Mayor of Parramatta city also attended the function. Both leaders talked of the relevance of Mahatma Gandhi’s thoughts in today’s world especially in the context of India-Australia relations. President Shri Ram Nath Kovind addressed the India Business Summit 2018 organised Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Diplomatist • Vol 7 • Issue 3 • March 2019, Noida • 9

Diplomatist Magazine Diplomatist March 2019 | Page 9