Anurag Kumar
New Delhi:Tuesday, during a meeting with his Australian counterpart Penny Wong, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar discussed India’s fraught relationship with Canada. As part of the India-Australia Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue, the two also deliberated on the Quad alliance alongside the Australian foreign minister.
In replying to a question regarding Canada subsequent to their meeting in the nation’s capital, he stated that they deliberated on the diplomatic dispute. He stated that he conveyed India’s perspective regarding the tolerance of radicalism and extremism in Canada.
“From our point of view, the key issue is really the space which is being given to extremism and radicalism in Canada,” according to him.
Given Australia’s amicable relations with both India and China, he stated that “Australia must understand our position on the matter.”
Additionally, the regional partnership Quad, which Japan, India, the United States, and Australia formed to counter China’s increasing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific, was discussed by the two leaders.
“During our discussion today, Quad was at length discussed…We are engaged in the resolution of a wide array of concerns,” he explained.
In addition to commerce and investments, the meeting encompasses discussions on intelligence sharing pertaining to military and shipping operations.
Bloomberg reports that India and Australia have reached a mutual agreement to map the sea floor of the Indian Ocean, a region vital for submarine operations, and to establish formal protocols for air-to-air refueling.
Since September, when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India of complicity in the assassination of Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, relations between India and Canada have been tense.
New Delhi, in its denial of the “baseless” allegation, has requested Canada to provide evidence.
Australia and India supported a two-state resolution to the Israel-Palestine dispute.
In the interim, S. Jaishankar stated at a virtual meeting of BRICS leaders that the Palestinians’ concerns must be taken seriously.
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“In Gaza, the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas is a source of immense human suffering.” Humanitarian assistance is currently required to reach the population of Gaza immediately. Additionally, it is critical that every single captive be liberated. PM Modi has engaged in discussions with numerous leaders both regionally and globally regarding this matter. He has emphasized the necessity of resuming authentic and direct peace negotiations and establishing the conditions for peace. We hold the view that giving due consideration to the concerns of Palestinians is essential. “This is only possible through a two-state solution,” he continued.
