New Delhi: India and Australia on Saturday discussed the fragile security situation in Afghanistan and their “common concerns” relating to possible spread of terrorism from the Taliban-ruled nation.
The situation in Afghanistan after its takeover by the Taliban figured in the deliberations during the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue here.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajath Singh held the 'two-plus-two' talks with their Australian counterparts Marise Payne and Peter Dutton.
Jaishankar described the in-person talks as “productive”.
“A productive 2+2 meeting today with Australia,” he tweeted.
The External Affairs Minister in his opening remarks said the “developments in Afghanistan will be an important subject of discussion between us today”.
“This meeting of course gives us an opportunity to review and take forward the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership as we prepare for another meeting between our Prime Ministers later this month in the United States,” he added.
Jaishankar further said the meeting takes place “at a very crucial time when, along with a pandemic we have a geo-political environment which is in rapid flux and we must, bilaterally and with other like-minded partners, respond adequately to safeguard our national interests as well as ensure a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region”.
Jaishankar met Australian Foreign Minister Payne earlier in the day ahead of the 'two-plus-two' dialogue, while Singh held wide-ranging discussions with his Australian counterpart Dutton on Friday.
The foreign and defence ministerial talks took place amid renewed efforts by the Quad member countries to expand cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
Besides India and Australia, the Quad comprises the United States and Japan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to travel to the US later this month to attend a summit of Quad leaders.
The Australian Foreign Minister had earlier at an event organised by the Observer Research Organisation on Friday said the Quad has evolved “swiftly” and very “effectively” and commended India for taking a strong leadership role in the region.
Talking about the “significant challenges” facing the Indo-Pacific, Payne said Australia seeks a region where rights of large and small countries are respected and that no “single dominant power” dictates the outcome for others, PTI reported.
India has such a framework for talks with a very few nations, including the United States and Japan.
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Earlier in June last year, India and Australia elevated their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership and signed a landmark deal for reciprocal access to military bases for logistics support during an online summit between Prime Minister Modi and his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison.