New Delhi: After nearly four Hindu temples were vandalised in Australia in the past two months, Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed the matter with Australian PM Anthony Albanese. He said the Australian leader has assured the Indian community's safety.
PM Albanese is in New Delhi for a bilateral meeting.
PM Modi told the media that the attacks on temples are a "matter of regret" and it has become regular over the last few weeks. "It is natural that such news worries everyone in India, disturbs our mind." He added that PM Albanese assured him that the safety of the Indian community is a special priority for him. "Our teams will be in regular contact on this matter, and will cooperate as much as possible."
Prominent Hindu temple Shree Laxmi Narayan Temple in Brisbane was attacked by pro-Khalistan supporters last week. On January 23, the ISKCON temple in Melbourne was vandalised with the graffiti "Hindustan Murdabad". On January 16, Shri Shiva Vishnu Temple in Carrum Downs, Victoria was vandalised in the same manner. On January 12, the Swaminarayan temple in Melbourne was vandalised in a similar manner.
India has repeatedly condemned the acts.
After a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan this morning, the Australian PM said Australia and India are great friends. "We are partners and we are building that partnership even stronger each and every day." He added that Canberra wants to cooperate with New Delhi to build a stronger relationship in areas of culture and economics.
The leaders discussed defence and security cooperation between the two nations. Albanese said defence and security are important pillars amid the increasingly uncertain global security environment.
"I welcome significant and ambitious progress under the Defence and Security pillar of our relationship. Prime Minister Modi and I are discussing an increasingly uncertain global security environment and committed to strengthening the Australia-India defence and security partnership to address shared challenges and work towards an open, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific," he said.
"I welcome increased defence information sharing between Australia and India including in the maritime domain. We also discussed exercise Malabar, which Australia is honoured to be hosting this year," he added. This is Albanese's first visit to India after taking charge of the office in May 2022. He expressed hope that they will conclude the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation agreement by the end of 2023, reported The Indian Express.