
Developments in Afghanistan will be important subject of discussion at 2+2: EAM S Jaishankar
New Delhi/UNI: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday said the developments in Afghanistan would be an important subject of discussion between India and Australia at the inaugural 2+2 dialogue.
In his opening remarks, while welcoming Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne and Defence Minister Peter Dutton for the dialogue, which is being held along with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the EAM said the meeting was being held at a very crucial time.
“We are meeting 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,” he said.
He said the inaugural 2+2 at the ministerial level was agreed upon at the First Virtual Leaders’ Summit held in June last year, when the bilateral relations were elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
He said this format of discussion is something India has with very few countries.