New Delhi, Sep 12 (FN Bureau) India and Australia on Saturday strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and the use of terrorist proxies for cross-border terrorism, even as Canberra reiterated its condemnation of the terrorist attacks in India, including 26/11, the Pathankot and Pulwama attacks. In a joint statement after the conclusion of the inaugural India-Australia 2+2 Ministers meet, the two sides also reaffirmed their support for the early finalization and adoption of a UN Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism. The joint statement, held after talks between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and his Australian counterpart Marise Payne, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Australian counterpart Peter Dutton, said that both sides welcomed the 12th Joint Working Group Meeting on Counter Terrorism on 17 December 2020, underlining their commitment to combat terrorism. “They strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, whenever, wherever, and by whom-so-ever committed and the use of terrorist proxies for cross-border terrorism.
“The Ministers underlined the urgent need for all countries to take immediate, sustained, verifiable and irreversible action to ensure that no territory under their control is used for terrorist attacks and to expeditiously bring to justice the perpetrators of such attacks. “Australia reiterated its condemnation of terrorist attacks in India, including 26/11 Mumbai, Pathankot and Pulwama attacks, and reiterated its support for the people and the Government of India in the fight against terrorism. “They called for the Taliban to guarantee safe passage for foreign nationals and Afghans wanting to leave the country. They reiterated calls on those in positions of power and authority across Afghanistan to adhere to counterterrorism commitments and human rights, in accordance with UNSCR 2593. They noted reports of a rapid roll-back on women and girls’ rights and access to services and public spaces, as well as targeted violence against women’s rights defenders. In this regard, the Ministers reiterated their call for protection of rights of women and children and their full participation in public life.
They also underscored the importance of an early resolution of the issue of taxation of offshore income of Indian firms under the India-Australia Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement. Both sides looked forward to the early conclusion of the Migration and Mobility Partnership Arrangement. They welcomed the successful conclusion of the first India-Australia Circular Economy Hackathon in February 2021, and agreed to organise similar events in future to promote exchange of innovative ideas to address emerging challenges. The Ministers welcomed that a large number of Indian students choose to study in Australia and act as a bridge between the two countries. The two countries reiterated the importance of the defence relationship, a core pillar of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. India and Australia acknowledged the increased defence cooperation between both countries and discussed initiatives to enhance defence engagements. Both sides welcomed the success of the recently concluded Exercise Malabar Phase I.
Recognizing cooperation on cyber security, innovation, digital economy, cyber and critical technologies as an essential pillar of the India-Australia relationship, Ministers reiterated the importance of working together in these areas. They also welcomed cooperation and coordination between the two countries in confronting the challenges emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic in both countries and beyond. They reiterated their resolve to strengthen cooperation to promote fair, timely and equitable access to high quality, safe, effective and affordable COVID-19 vaccines, treatments and critical medical supplies globally including through COVAX. Welcoming India’s Vaccine Maitri initiative, the Ministers agreed to deepen cooperation in vaccine manufacturing, including under the Quad framework, to deliver high quality vaccine to Indo-Pacific partners. Ministers acknowledged that vaccination remains our pathway out of the pandemic, it said. To further realize the full potential of the India-Australia CSP, the Ministers underscored the intention to expand cooperation under the 2+2 framework and to meet at least once in every two years to maintain the momentum.