S Jaishankar addressing a press conference with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong
New Delhi : External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, while addressing a joint press conference after talks with Australian counterpart Penny Wong, said that the strategic partnership between the two countries is gaining momentum. The two leaders met at Hyderabad House in Delhi. Foreign Minister Jaishankar said that they are preparing for the meeting of the Quad group sometime next year.
Quad has made a lot of progress in the last few years – Jaishankar
S Jaishankar said that we discussed Quad in some detail today. The Quad has made considerable progress in the last few years. There are many issues on which we are cooperating. Other new areas of cooperation were also being explored. Jaishankar said that today’s discussion was on what else we can add to the Quad. Jaishankar said that we discussed the situation in the Middle East. Southeast Asia and ASEAN were also discussed.
India-Australia 2+2 talks were meaningful: Jaishankar
External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar said, ‘Yesterday the Defense Minister and I held the second India-Australia 2+2 dialogue with Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles and Foreign Minister Penny Wong. It was a very fruitful 2+2 dialogue. Many things have happened for the first time in our relationship this year. We have made a new beginning with a comprehensive strategic partnership. The Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement has come into force and its impact is visible in the first year itself. We have also highlighted the importance of moving forward on the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement, CECA negotiations.
On relations between Australia and China, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said, ‘China is a country with which we will continue our partnership. We will cooperate where possible, and disagree where we must. We will take care of our national interests. Penny Wong said- ‘We discussed our work in the Indian Ocean region and how we can cooperate. The Indian Ocean Conference will be held in Perth.
Extremism and fundamentalism are being given opportunity in Canada: Jaishankar
On the question related to discussion with Australia regarding the current diplomatic relations between India and Canada, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar said, ‘Yes, I discussed this with Australian Foreign Minister Wong today. Australia has good strong relations with both the countries (India and Canada). So it was important that Australia got to know our side. The main issue from our perspective is the opportunity being given to extremism and radicalization in Canada.
There was a terrorist attack on Israel – Penny Wong
Penny Wong on Israel’s war on Hamas said that the world is struggling with human suffering. There was a terrorist attack on Israel on October 7. We have adopted a clear approach to the humanitarian crisis. Israel needs to follow international humanitarian law. We need a political solution. We need to reach a point where the people of Israel and Palestine live in peace.
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