Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles To Attend Cricket World Cup Final Match

Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles will travel to Ahmedabad to witness the summit clash between India and Australia at the cricket World Cup on Sunday. Marles, who is also Australia's defence minister, and Foreign Minister Penny Wong are visiting India to co-chair the second edition of the "2 2" ministerial dialogue along with their Indian counterparts on Monday. The defence ministry on Saturday announced the Australian deputy prime minister's two-day visit to India from November 19-20 primarily for the "2 2" dialogue that is expected to focus on boosting the overall defence and strategic ties between the two countries.

It said Marles will also attend the cricket World Cup final between India and Australia on Sunday.

"Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles will visit India from November 19 to 20 to co-chair the second India-Australia 2 2 ministerial dialogue with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh," the ministry said in a statement.

The Indian delegation at the "2 2" dialogue will be led by Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.

"During his visit, Minister Marles will also attend the Cricket World Cup final between India and Australia in Ahmedabad, Gujarat on November 19," the ministry said.

It said Singh and Marles will hold a bilateral meeting on November 20 that would be followed by the "2 2" dialogue.

"India and Australia are pursuing a comprehensive strategic partnership and the visit of Minister Marles is expected to give further impetus to the collaboration as well as bilateral defence cooperation," the defence ministry said.

"The two countries are expected to discuss wide-ranging issues of mutual interest during the 2 2 dialogue and the bilateral defence