Regardless of the outcome of the ongoing U.S. presidential elections, the relationship between India and the United States, as well as India’s engagement with the Quad alliance, is set to flourish and deepen, asserted External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, as American citizens began casting their votes to determine the nation’s next president.
During a press briefing in Canberra regarding the India-Australia bilateral discussions, alongside Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Mr. Jaishankar voiced his disapproval of Canada following a violent incident that transpired outside an Indian consular camp at a community center in Brampton over the past weekend. He expressed concerns over Canada providing a platform for “extremist voices” and chose not to address inquiries concerning vandalism incidents at Indian centers and temples in Australia. Moreover, he described the October 21 agreement regarding the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China as a “positive development,” indicating that both nations are looking to strengthen ties further through upcoming meetings between their National Security Advisers and Foreign Ministers.
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Ms. Wong reinforced this sentiment, emphasizing that for the U.S., India, Australia, and Japan—as part of the Quad—the discussions hold significant strategic value. She noted that this importance would persist, irrespective of the election’s outcome, following the completion of their third Foreign Ministers’ framework dialogue.
Escalation in tensions
In light of the growing tensions between India and Canada, both Foreign Ministers addressed the troubling events that unfolded recently. These tensions have particularly escalated after pro-Khalistan activists violently attacked a Brampton temple complex the previous Sunday, where Indian Consular officials were present to assist Indian NRIs and PIOs with their official documentation. The violent clashes erupted in spite of the Indian High Commission’s appeal for additional security from local law enforcement. While Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau condemned the “acts of violence,” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed outrage, rejecting both the violence and the “cowardly attempts” to intimidate Indian diplomats, urging Canadian authorities to uphold their legal responsibilities.
Mr. Jaishankar deemed the attack as “deeply concerning” but refrained from commenting on similar attacks reported on two temples in Canberra on October 26, which involved vandalism and theft, as captured by surveillance footage showing masked individuals removing donation boxes.
In response to these incidents, Ms. Wong acknowledged the distress experienced by faith communities, stating, “particularly in the week of Deepavali, it’s a very upsetting thing for peoples of the faith community and the Indian community more broadly… People across Australia have a right to be safe and respected.”
Furthermore, she stated that while individuals are entitled to “peaceful protest,” the Australian government draws a firm distinction between lawful demonstrations and actions that incite violence or hatred, stating that these should be addressed by the appropriate law enforcement channels.
When confronted with allegations from the Canadian government that Indian officials, including Home Minister Amit Shah, might be involved in a conspiracy to assassinate Khalistani activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, alongside similar allegations from the U.S. regarding an attempt on the life of Gurpatwant Pannun, Ms. Wong reiterated that Australia has clearly communicated its concerns.
“We’ve said that we respect Canada’s judicial process. We convey our views to India as you would expect us to do. And we have a principle position regarding the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary, and the sovereignty of all nations,” she elaborated.
In contrast, Mr. Jaishankar dismissed the Canadian accusations as indicative of “a pattern of making allegations without providing specifics,” labeling Canada’s choice to surveil Indian diplomats concerning these allegations as “unacceptable.”
“We believe in freedoms; we also believe freedom should not be abused, and we have had discussions focused on exactly those lines,” emphasized Mr. Jaishankar.
Published – November 05, 2024 11:51 pm IST
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**Interview with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar**
**Interviewer:** Good afternoon, Minister Jaishankar. Thank you for joining us today. Let’s begin with your recent meeting with Australian Prime Minister Albanese. How do you perceive the evolving relationship between India and Australia amidst the backdrop of global shifts in power dynamics?
**Jaishankar:** Good afternoon, and thank you for having me. Our partnership with Australia is stronger than ever. We share common values and interests, particularly within the framework of the Quad alliance. The discussions we had were focused on enhancing our strategic collaboration, which is vital not just for our countries, but for regional stability.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned in your recent briefing that India’s relationships with the U.S. and the Quad will flourish regardless of the U.S. election outcomes. Can you elaborate on that?
**Jaishankar:** Absolutely. The U.S. and India have built a robust relationship that transcends administrations. Regardless of political changes, our mutual interests in security, trade, and technology will continue to draw us closer. The Quad’s framework provides a platform for cooperation among India, Australia, Japan, and the U.S., reinforcing our strategic positioning in the Indo-Pacific.
**Interviewer:** During your press briefing, you expressed concerns regarding incidents in Canada involving extremist activities. How do you think such events impact diplomatic relations?
**Jaishankar:** Such incidents are indeed troubling and can strain diplomatic ties when one country provides a platform for extremist voices. It’s crucial for nations to address not just the violence but also the ideologies that fuel it. I must emphasize that a collaborative approach is vital to counter these threats and ensure the safety of all communities.
**Interviewer:** There was also mention of recent violent incidents at Indian consular sites. How does this affect not only the Indian community abroad but also diplomatic channels?
**Jaishankar:** These incidents are deeply concerning, and they pose challenges to our diplomatic efforts. They highlight the need for more robust security arrangements and open dialogue between governments to ensure the protection of diplomatic missions and their personnel. Our focus remains on safeguarding the well-being of our citizens.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, what are the next steps for India in strengthening its ties with Australia and other Quad countries?
**Jaishankar:** The immediate next steps include intensified dialogue through our Foreign Ministers’ meetings and furthering discussions among our National Security Advisers. We will focus on collaborative projects in trade, technology, and security to reinforce our collective stance in the region. The benefits of our partnership will be significant, not just for our nations but for the broader Indo-Pacific region.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Minister Jaishankar, for sharing your insights with us today.
**Jaishankar:** Thank you for having me.