New Delhi: Following the 2+2 Ministerial meeting with his Australian counterpart Marise Payne, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Saturday that the peaceful development of the Indo-Pacific is the focus of India-Australia ties and it should be shaped in a participative and collaborative manner.”
India and Australia held a 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue between the nations’ foreign and defence ministers in New Delhi.
The agenda included bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest.
Jaishankar also underlined the issues Indian students face in Australia with Payne.
While addressing the question in a press interaction after 2+2 dialogue, Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said the future of Afghanistan remains a central concern for both India and Australia after the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul.
After holding the 2+2 talks with Indian counterparts, the Australian Foreign Minister reiterated that both the countries share a strong interest that Afghanistan never ever becomes safe haven for terrorists.
“We share strong interests in ensuring that Afghan, never again becomes safe haven for breeding, training of terrorists. We’re also very focused on seeking safe passage for citizens, foreign nationals, visa holders of other countries who seek to leave Afghanistan,” she said.
Payne touched upon the aspect of women and girls position in Afghanistan and commented that “In relation to the position of women and girls, for 20 years we’ve worked with the international community and people of Afghanistan to ensure better circumstances for women.”