Australia Australia clarifies it did not participate in China-Indian Ocean Forum on Development Cooperation
Australia on Sunday clarified it did not participate in the "China-Indian Ocean Forum on Development Cooperation" on Nov 21.
Australia's High Commissioner to India, Barry O'Farrell tweeted: " Contrary to media reporting, no Australian Government official attended the Kunming China-Indian Ocean Forum on Development Cooperation. "
Contrary to media reporting, no Australian Government official attended the Kunming China-Indian Ocean Forum on Development Cooperation. (1/2) @DrSJaishankar @SenatorWong @MEAIndia @rajnathsingh @RichardMarlesMP @TimWattsMP @dfat @DefenceAust @DefenceMinIndia #Kunming
— Barry O’Farrell AO (@AusHCIndia) November 27, 2022
"Pleased @TimWattsMP attended #IORA Ministerial Council last week, the only ministerial-level forum for Indian Ocean. was delighted ’s application for Vice Chair was accepted by consensus. We share an enduring interest: a free, open, rules-based & secure Indo-Pacific," he added.
While Canberra was invited for the meet by Beijing, Australia, a member of Quad (comprising Australia, Japan, India and the US) declined to participate in the China-led Indian Ocean Forum meet, reports ANI.
Maldives Ministry of Foreign Affairs also denied participating in the event.
Maldives Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement as quoted by ANI: "The Ministry would like to clarify, that the Government of the Maldives did not participate in the above-mentioned Forum, and communicated its decision not to participate to the Embassy of the People's Republic of China to the Maldives on November 15, 2022."
