India-Australia discuss expanding Quad agenda

New Delhi, 21 January : India and Australia held wide-ranging discussions on bilateral relations on various regional and global issues, including Quad, under the two-plus-two dialogue process of the Foreign and Defence Ministers. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar described the talks as fruitful and said that both sides considered ways to strengthen the Quad, a forum involving India, Australia, America, and Japan. In the meeting, the External Affairs Minister presented India’s side regarding the ongoing diplomatic confrontation with Canada.

In a joint press conference with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Jaishankar said that the main issue is that extremism and fundamentalist groups should not be allowed to operate in Canada. He said that Australia has good relations with both India and Canada. He said that he hoped that the Foreign Minister of Australia would have listened to his side with attention.

The visiting foreign minister said that she listens carefully to Jaishankar. However, regarding Canada, he cited his country’s old attitude.

Jaishankar said the Quad has made a lot of progress in recent years. Quad member countries are cooperating in various fields. Also, new areas of cooperation are being explored. In the meeting, both countries discussed the issues that should be included in the Quad agenda. He said that it is proposed to organise the Quad Summit early next year.