First SOC Meeting between India and Australia held on Antarctica, exchange productive: MEA

Bula Devi reports from New Delhi

New Delhi Feb 13: The India-Australia Senior Officials’ Consultation (SOC) on Antarctica took place on Thursday in virtual mode. This was the first time that such a meeting was held between the two countries.

Paramita Tripathi, Joint Secretary, Oceania and Indo-Pacific Divisions in the Ministry of External Affairs, led the Indian side. The Australian side was led by Adam McCarthy, Chief Counsel and First Assistant Secretary, Legal Division and Sarah Storey, First Assistant Secretary, South and Central Asia Division from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The Ministry of External Affairs described the discussion as “productive” as the both sides exchanged views across a wide range of issues.

While representatives of the Ministry of Earth Sciences also participated in the consultation meeting, the Australian side was represented by the Australian Antarctic Division.