Australian FM to discuss trade, regional security with Indian, Sri Lankan counterparts

CANBERRA, July 17 (Xinhua) — Australia’s Foreign Minister Julie Bishop on Monday announced that she will travel to the Indian subcontinent this week to discuss trade and regional security with counterparts from India and Sri Lanka.

In a statement detailing her whirlwind trip, Bishop said that, in India, she would meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well as her counterpart Sushma Swaraj, before delivering a speech about bilateral cooperation in New Delhi.

“In India, I will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and join Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj for our bilateral Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue,” Bishop said on Monday.

“We will discuss our shared interests in a stable Indo-Pacific, our deepening defense and security relationship, and how we can boost trade and economic ties.”

Bishop added that, in Sri Lanka, she will meet with President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake among other ministers to “discuss security cooperation and explore new economic opportunities in science, resources and energy.”

“President Sirisena and I will announce Australian assistance to combat dengue fever in Sri Lanka and discuss progress on the implementation of Sri Lanka’s reconciliation process, which is critical to its long-term security and prosperity,” Bishop said.