Aussie Foreign Minister to visit Sri Lanka

Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop will be in visiting Sri Lanka and India from 18-20 July to strengthen bilateral, economic and security relations with two important partners in the region.

In Sri Lanka, she will meet President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake and 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.

In India, she will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and join Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj for bilateral Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue.

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

India is a significant economic partner and trading partner, and I will explore further opportunities for Australia in the education sector and in developing innovative partnerships in the business sector. I will visit the Shiv Nadar School to meet with students and teachers to discuss the careers of the future and highlight Australia as an education destination of choice for students in our region.

Bishop will also deliver second Indo-Pacific Oration in New Delhi, outlining how Australia and India can work together to build peace and prosperity, and to maintain a rules-based order in the region.