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Wensley appointed new Australian
envoy to India

Paritosh Parasher in Sydney

Senior career diplomat Penny Wensley will be Australia's new high commissioner to India, succeeding Rob Laurie.

Making this announcement on Tuesday, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Alexander Downer said: "Australia's relations with India have enjoyed considerable growth in breadth and substance in recent years. This growth is underpinned by an already-important commercial relationship which shows every sign of continued expansion."

The appointment of such a senior Australian diplomat to New Delhi is seen to reflect the importance with which the Foreign Affairs and Trade Department treats India.

Wensley is a senior career officer in the Australian Foreign Affairs Department. Her last appointment was as Australia's ambassador and permanent representative to the UN in New York.

A graduate of the University of Queensland, she has also served as ambassador and permanent representative to the UN in Geneva (1993-1996), consul general in Hong Kong (1986-1988), deputy high commissioner in New Zealand (1982-1985), deputy head of mission in Mexico City (1975-1977) and third, second and first secretary in France (1969-1973).

Laurie has looked after the diplomatic mission in New Delhi since October 1997.

Australia had imposed some sanctions against India after the nuclear tests in 1998, but bilateral relations between the two countries are in the process of coming back to normal.

Downer said: "India is an increasingly important source of students studying in Australia and a growing market for Australian tourism and environmental and health services. Linkages in the information communications and technology sector are also expanding rapidly."

Thanks to a buoyant Indian economy, various Australian manufacturers have been trying to increase trade links in India. Australian companies in the services sectors have also been doing well establishing a presence on the subcontinent.

The value of Australian merchandise exports to India exceeded well above Australian $ 2 billion in 2000-2001.

Beside trade, both countries are trying to work closely on regional issues. Downer said: "The bilateral relationship is also marked by an increasing convergence of views and closer cooperation on regional and multilateral issues.

"Australia and India are partners in the ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) regional forum. We are working together to add substance to the agenda of the Indian Ocean Rim-Association for Regional Cooperation and we are now partners in a bilateral security dialogue."

Indo-Asian News Service

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