The Australian High Commissioner on Monday also stated that Australia’s respect for Indian sovereignty is unwavering…reports Asian Lite News
The Australian High Commissioner on Monday also stated that Australia’s respect for Indian sovereignty is unwavering, adding that the “so-called” Khalistan referendum call has no legal standing in Australia.
Australian High Commissioner Barry O’Farrell on Monday said that the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) is a strategic security dialogue between Australia, India, Japan and the United States and is not turning into Indo-Pacific NATO.
“Quad is not turning into Indo-Pacific NATO,” O’Farrell said The Australian High Commissioner echoed the same reason behind the formation of Quad.
The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue or Quad is not a military grouping, said US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday, adding it is now engaged in working together to help countries to deal with humanitarian situations in natural disasters.
“We are working on things that are really critical,” Blinken said at a panel discussion of the Quad Foreign Ministers themed “The Quad Squad: Power and Purpose of the Polygon” in the national capital.
The Quad Foreign Ministers meet on the sidelines of the eighth edition of the Raisina Dialogue the flagship conference on geopolitics and geo-strategy organised by the Ministry of External Affairs with the Observer Research Foundation. India, US, Japan and Australia are members of the Quad grouping.
“Quad is not a military grouping…but one of the things that we are doing through the Quad is trying to bring together not only governments, academia, experts to look at where we can collaborate together on the technology, on innovation, benefits in other areas that remains to be seen. But clearly, our four countries in particular are very well placed to increase in a variety of ways our collaboration…,” Blinken said.
Quad according to the US Secretary of State is a force for good, positive, and affirmative action.
Quad Foreign Ministers carried out a comprehensive review of various issues, ranging from Indo-Pacific to ASEAN.
The meeting was presided by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Japanese counterpart Yoshimasa Hayashi and US State Department Secretary Antony Blinken.
The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) reaffirmed its steadfast commitment to supporting a free and open Indo-Pacific and strongly supported the peaceful settlement of disputes without resorting to threats or use of force and freedom of navigation and overflight.
The Australian High Commissioner on Monday also stated that Australia’s respect for Indian sovereignty is unwavering, adding that the “so-called” Khalistan referendum call has no legal standing in Australia.
The Australian High Commissioner added that the Khalistan Referendum stands on no legal grounds in Australia as his country has an “unwavering respect” for India’s sovereignty.
The hardening of stance against suspected Khalistani elements in the country comes ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit Down Under this week.
Barry O’Farrell said, “Respect for Indian sovereignty is unwavering. The so-called Khalistan referendum call has no legal standing in Australia.”
“Most appalled to see temples being targeted, police are active and continue to be active to deal with those responsible,” the Australian High Commissioner to India further said.
Talking about Adani Group’s investment in Australia, O’Farrell said that: “Adani’s investment is fully functioning in Australia. No reports I see from Australia of any effect on business, he is still a significant investor.”
Indian, Australian PMs to watch Test match
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian PM Anthony Albanese will watch day 1 of the final test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Ahmedabad on March 9.
Australian High Commissioner Barry O’Farrell on Monday said that the Australian Prime Minister will be on a three-day-visit to India from March 8 and will visit Mumbai, Ahmedabad and the New Delhi.
He said that PM Modi and Australian PM Albanese will watch Day-1 of the fourth and final Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia in Ahmedabad on March 9.
“One of the things that bind both countries is cricket and it will be great to see the leaders of India and Australia on day one of the matches in Ahmedabad,” he said.
The fourth and final Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia will start from March 9 onwards in Ahmedabad.
India is currently leading the series by 2-1. If they win the final Test, they will qualify for the final of the ICC World Test Championship, where they will be facing Australia in London from June 7 onwards.
India had won the first Test at Nagpur by an inning and 132 runs. They followed it with a six-wicket win at Delhi in the second Test. Both Tests ended in a span of three days.
Australia prevented the possibility of facing a whitewash by winning the third Test at Indore by nine wickets within three days.
The Australian High Commissioner to India also informed that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will also participate in Holi festival celebrations.
