Australia on Wednesday, November 16, announced that it will open a new consulate in Bengaluru. Speaking at the inaugural function of the Bengaluru Tech Summit (BTS), Australia’s Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Tim Watts said, "We are committed to opening our new joint Australia India Centre of Excellence for critical and emerging technology policy right here in Bengaluru." He added that a new consulate will be opened in the city in 2023. "We will also open a new Consulate General in Bengaluru in 2023, our fifth diplomatic office in India to support connections and growth opportunities with this dynamic part of south India."
Watts said that the Australian government is deeply committed to advancing its technology partnership with India in the context of a broad-based comprehensive strategic partnership. Touted as Asia’s largest tech festival, the 25th edition of the Bengaluru Tech Summit is being held from November 16 to 18 at Bangalore Palace.
Noting that the new direct flight between Bengaluru and the Australian city of Sydney has been solidly booked since its launch in November, Watts, using a cricketing analogy, said: "the Australia-India technology relationship has now entered the powerplay." Watts is leading a delegation of over 40 Australian technology companies and policy thinkers to the 25th edition of Bengaluru Tech Summit.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier inaugurated the Bengaluru Tech Summit through video conference on Wednesday. Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said, “For many years, Bengaluru has been number one in India’s Innovation Index.” He further said that “India is using technology as a weapon in the war against poverty” and cited examples of Svamitva scheme and Jan Dhan Aadhar Mobile (JAM).