After quad; India, Aus hold first meet on strategic, defence

tiesNew Delhi, Dec 12 PTI) India and Australia today reviewedall aspects of bilateral ties with a focus on strategic anddefence relations during t...

tiesNew Delhi, Dec 12 PTI) India and Australia today reviewedall aspects of bilateral ties with a focus on strategic anddefence relations during their first '2+2 dialogue' and agreedthat a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific is in the long-term interests of all countries in the region.

Significantly, the inaugural Indo-Aus dialogue comesbarely a month after the two countries along with the US andJapan, discussed cooperation amid evolving security scenarioin the Indo-Pacific region where China has been aggressivelyexpanding its military presence.

While India already has a '2+2 dialogue' with Japan, ithas also agreed to start a two-by-two ministerial dialogue toenhance "peace and stability across the Indo-Pacific region".

The Indian side was led by Foreign Secretary S Jaishankarand Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra while the Australian sidewas headed by Secretary of Department of Foreign Affairs andTrade Frances Adamson, and Secretary of Department of DefenceGreg Moriarty.

"All aspects of bilateral relations with a focus onstrategic and defence relations between the two countries werereviewed... Both sides agreed that a free, open, prosperousand inclusive Indo-Pacific region serves the long-terminterests of all countries in the region and of the world atlarge," a press release from the external affairs ministrysaid.

It said India and Australia share warm bilateralrelations based on shared democratic values and pluralism andthere is a growing convergence of strategic perspectivesbetween the two countries.

Last month, officials from India, Japan, the US andAustralia held consultations on the sidelines of the India-ASEAN meet and discussed issues of common interest in theIndo-Pacific region with a focus on cooperation based onconverging vision and values for promotion of peace, stabilityand prosperity in the area.

After the quadrilateral, the MEA said, "they agreed thata free, open, prosperous and inclusive Indo-Pacific regionserves the long-term interests of all countries in the regionand of the world at large. The officials also exchanged viewson addressing common challenges of terrorism and proliferationlinkages impacting the region as well as on enhancingconnectivity."Adamson is also meeting Secretary (East) and Secretary(ER) in the MEA, the release said.

Apart from attending the dialogue, Moriarty also metChief of Staff Committee and Chief of Naval Staff AdmiralSunil Lanba and visited Rajputana Rifles Regimental Centrehere. PTI PYKZMN.

This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.

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