Trump or Harris, India-U.S. ties, Quad will ‘only grow’, says Jaishankar

Foreign Minister S Jaishankar. file | Photo courtesy: ANI

no matter the outcome US presidential electionIndia-US ties as well as engagement with the Quad will “only grow” as Americans start voting for it, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Tuesday (November 5, 2024). 47^th us President,

Briefing the media about India-Australia bilateral talks in Canberra with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Mr Jaishankar slammed Canada for giving place to violence outside an Indian Consulate camp at the Brampton Temple Community Center over the weekend. Criticized. “Extremist voices” sidestepping a question about vandalism at Indian centers and temples in Australia. Speaking about the October 21 Line of Actual Control (LAC) agreement with China, Mr Jaishankar described it as a “positive development” and said both sides are now further enhancing relations with meetings between the National Security Advisors and the Foreign Ministers of the two countries. Are planning to expand further. countries.

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“We have really seen steady progress in our relationship with the United States during the last five presidencies. Which also includes the earlier Trump presidency. So, when we look at the US election, you know we have full confidence that whatever the verdict, our relations with the United States will only grow,” Mr Jaishankar said in a statement about the possibility of Donald Trump winning the election. Said in response to the question. The US also pointed out that the Quad, which was first established after the 2005 tsunami, was “revitalized” during the previous Mr Trump presidency.

“For America, India, Australia, Japan [the Quad] A very valuable strategic discussion. We will see that its importance remains intact regardless of the outcome of the election,” agreed Ms Wong after the conclusion of the third Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue.

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Both foreign ministers were asked about the recent rise in India-Canada tensions, especially after Sunday’s incident when pro-Khalistan activists attacked the Brampton temple complex outside Toronto, where Indian Consulate officials were visiting Indian NRIs. And were setting up a camp to help the PIOs with their documents. , Despite the Indian High Commission requesting additional security from local authorities, the attack led to violent clashes. While Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau criticized the “acts of violence”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned both the violence and the “cowardly attempts” to intimidate Indian diplomats and called on Canadian authorities to maintain law and order.

Mr Jaishankar described the attack as “deeply worrying” but did not respond to a question about the attacks on two temples in Canberra on October 26, which an Overseas newspaper reported on, in which temple premises were vandalized. Went and stole along with donation boxes. According to CCTV footage, masked people are taking him away.

Responding to the incidents, Ms Wong said that “Especially in the week of Diwali, this is very upsetting for people in the faith community and the Indian community more broadly… People across Australia should be safe and respected.” Have the right to be”.

He said people have the right to “peacefully protest” but the Australian government “draws a line between that and violence, inciting hatred or vandalism and they should be dealt with by appropriate law enforcement authorities.”

When asked about Canadian government allegations that Indian government agents and even Home Minister Amit Shah were involved in a conspiracy to kill wanted Khalistani activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in India, as well as an attempt to kill Gurpatwant Pannun. Ms. was asked about similar US allegations. Wong said Australia had “made clear” its concerns.

“We have said that we respect the Canadian judicial process. We convey our views to India as you expect us to. And we have a dominant position on matters such as the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary and the sovereignty of all countries.”

Mr Jaishankar, however, dismissed the Canadian allegations as “a pattern of making allegations without providing details” and said Canada’s decision to place Indian diplomats under surveillance over the allegations is “unacceptable”.

“We believe in freedom, we also believe that freedom should not be misused and we have talked about it, exactly on those lines,” Mr Jaishankar said.