By IANS,
New Delhi : The cabinet Wednesday approved the opening of an Indian consulate in Perth in Australia and the creation of 12 posts there.
The approval came at a cabinet meeting presided over by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Of the 12 posts to be created in Perth, six will be for Indians, with the consul general being of the rank of a joint secretary in the external affairs ministry here, an official spokesperson said after the cabinet meeting.
The other six posts will be for locals.
There is the need for formal Indian diplomatic presence in Perth in view of the strategic importance of Western Australia from political, economic and defence viewpoints. It is an important location with respect to sea lanes in the Indian Ocean, the spokesperson said.
“The establishment of the consulate general of India in Perth will immensely benefit the growing Indian community in Western Australia which numbers around 40,000-45,000.
“This will also provide easier consular access to the people of Western Australia and Northern Territory,” the spokesperson added.