India wants to grow with the World : S Jaishankar

Addressing the Indian community here, Jaishankar also underlined the historical ties between the two countries. He said India has made significant progress under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in the last ten years.

“India will grow, India is growing, but India wants to grow with the world. When we look at the world, we see opportunities. We are optimistic. There may be problems, but overall, we think the world has goodwill and a desire to work with India,” he said.

“We see a sentiment overall in the world for India to succeed, and it is important we harness that sentiment,” he added. He mentioned that there are numerous opportunities for global cooperation in the fields of education and research. “India will grow, India is growing, but India wants to grow with the world. When we look at the world, we see opportunities. We are optimistic. There may be problems, but overall, we think the world has goodwill and a desire to work with India,” he said.

“We see a sentiment overall in the world for India to succeed, and it is important we harness that sentiment,” he added. He mentioned that there are numerous opportunities for global cooperation in the fields of education and research. “The image today of Indians abroad, the image of being well educated, of being personally responsible, work ethic, family-centric nature of our lives. I think the combination of all of this today makes us very, very attractive in the global workplace,” he said.

“I think, it’s important that that brand is developed, that those skills are nurtured… Again, I emphasise that this era, you know, this era of AI, of electric mobility, of chips, this will require a global workforce,” he added. On ties with Australia, he emphasised the transformation in the bilateral relations and attributed the progress to four key factors – Prime Minister Modi, Australia, the world, and the Indian diaspora.

Noting the presence of around 125,000-strong Indian diaspora in Queensland, including 15,000-16,000 students, the minister highlighted their significance in strengthening ties between the two countries. Highlighting that 75 per cent of Australian exports to India come from Brisbane, he said that this cooperation should be viewed not merely as an achievement but as a framework for future growth.

India and Australia are members of QUAD – a four-member strategic security dialogue that includes the US and Japan. Later, in a post on X, the minister said he was “delighted to interact with members of the vibrant Indian community” in Brisbane. “Spoke about the strong India-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership and the efforts, vision and leadership by both countries to energise it. The upcoming opening of India’s 4th consulate in Australia is a step forward in our friendship,” he said.