In an exclusive interview with CNN-News18
the Australian Deputy PM, also the Minister for Defence, said, “Every country has interest living in a peaceful world. We all appreciate the stoppage in military activity but we acknowledge that this is ‘an act of Indian Leadership’.”
He further stated that stopping the military actions was not an easy decision for India, while appreciating it. “The restraint shown in the stoppage of military action is an act of Indian leadership” and Australia “acknowledges and appreciates” the action.United States President Donald Trump has repeatedly made claims that the US mediated the ceasefire ‘understanding’ between India and Pakistan that was reached on May 10 following military operations by both the countries. India had launched ‘Operation Sindoor’ in the early hours of May 7 in retaliation to the April 22’s terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam where 26 people were killed.
India has clarified that the ceasefire ‘understanding’ was reached only after the Director General of Military Operation (DGMO) of Pakistan initiated the talks with his Indian counterpart, clarifying that the talks between the two countries will always be bilateral.
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Stand with India against terrorism
Marles stated that the Australian government received the news of the Pahalgam terror attack with utter shock, and expressed solidarity with India and all the countries to combat terrorism.
“We received the news with utter shock. Prime Minister [Anthony] Albanese personally spoke to Prime Minister [Narendra] Modi to express condolences. Even today, we reiterated that solidarity. We stand with India, and with all countries, to combat terrorism,” he said.
Standing firm on the condemnation of the attack, Marles reiterated that Australia is firm on the act of terror. “We call it an act of terror. We stand with India. We are ready to work closely with India. We strongly condemn the terrorist attack,” he added.
Indo-Australia relations reaching new level
The Australian Minister said that the relationship of India and Australia are reaching new heights and the Prime Ministers of both the countries have a role in the warm relations.
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“We are more strategically aligned with India than ever before in history. We share passions like cricket. We have an ambitious QUAD agenda and joint military exercises.” Marles said.
“We believe there’s more we can do — and that’s exciting. Australia is steadily climbing the ladder from India’s worldview,” he added.
‘Quad shares democratic values ‘
The Deputy PM also outlined the role of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue’s (Quad) in deepening military and security partnerships, while also highlighting the democratic values that the group’s member countries share.
“Quad has expanded, but it is not a military construct. While we have military partnerships, there are other mechanisms through which we can deepen cooperation. As democracies, we share values,” he said.
Adding onto the Chinese role in the region, Marles stated that it is significant to work with “like-minded countries” to promote regional security. “We do see China engaging in the biggest military build-up in the region. That makes it more important for us to work with like-minded countries, especially India.”
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