Ahead of the Quad summit in Australia later this month, Barry O'Farrell, Australia's High Commissioner to India has termed the grouping as a "practical formation of four countries that are committed to delivering peace, prosperity, and security to the Indo-Pacific region". Speaking to our diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, the High Commissioner said, "it has a practical and positive agenda which is open to all countries in the region who are prepared to abide by the rules". Australia hosts the 3rd Quad summit, after US and Japan. The grouping has -US, India, Japan and Australia as its members. Indian PM Modi will be traveling to Australia to attend the summit on 24th of May. The Australian High commissioner, highlighted that, "It's terrific that PM Modi is making his first visit to India since 2014, that was a remarkable last visit with large crowds which signifies how strong the relationship is."

Australian High Commissioner Barry O'Farrell speaks to WION ahead of Quad Summit | WION Exclusive

Australia's High Commissioner to India, Barry O'Farrell, has praised India's diplomatic approach, stating that "the Indian way, India jugad is changing diplomacy". O'Farrell commended India's ability to work with different groups and countries to achieve results, which he believes sets India apart from big multilateral groupings that have been relied upon in the past.

India is a member of the Quad, SCO, and BRICS with each group coming with a different set of countries and challenges. According to O'Farrell, the Quad is a prime example of this new approach.&nbsp;

"Quad is very clear about what it does, what it does not do. It continues to try to practically address issues that stand in its way, with I tries to practically address issues in the Indo-Pacific, from renewable to ensuring that countries are able to economically make sovereign decisions," he said.

O'Farrell's comments come ahead of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's forthcoming state visit to India. The Australian PM will begin his India visit from Ahmedabad on Wednesday and will travel to Mumbai on Thursday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/australian-pm-to-arrive-in-india-for-state-visit-japanese-pm-plans-3-day-visit-to-new-delhi-568407">Read more:&nbsp;Australian PM to arrive in India next week; Japanese PM plans 3-day visit to New Delhi</a>

He will then hold the annual summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi to discuss areas of cooperation under the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

O'Farrell described the visit as a great opportunity for both countries to further develop economic ties and progress security, defence, and people-to-people relationships.&nbsp;

"PM Albanese is bringing together 27 senior Chief executives to talk to their counterparts to explore opportunities, job that exist as a result of India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement," he said.

In Ahmedabad, both PMs will watch the fourth Test match in the ongoing Border Gavaskar trophy.&nbsp;

"Unlike cricket series, the real benefit of both PMs visiting each other's countries is that both countries win," he said. The visit coincides with the festival of Holi, and the Australian PM is expected to take part in the celebrations in Ahmedabad, according to the envoy.&nbsp;

"Prime Minister Albanese will arrive in Ahmedabad on the evening of Holi, and I expect him to take part in those celebrations as will many Indians across Australia," he said.

He also remarked on the recent cases of the Khalistani referendum and violence in his country.&nbsp;

"Australians are horrified at any vandalism of religious places of worship and police are very active in trying to track down those who are responsible." He emphasized that Australia is a multicultural, multi-faith country that respects freedom of speech, but that "those matters are taken seriously in Australia," he said.&nbsp;

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Australia's High Commissioner to India, Barry O'Farrell, has praised India's diplomatic approach, stating that "the Indian way, India jugad is changing diplomacy".

Australia's High Commissioner to India, Barry O'Farrell, has praised India's diplomatic approach, stating that "the Indian way, India jugad is changing diplomacy". O'Farrell commended India's ability to work with different groups and countries to achieve results, which he believes sets India apart from big multilateral groupings that have been relied upon in the past. India is a member of the Quad, SCO, and BRICS with each group coming with a different set of countries and challenges. According to O'Farrell, the Quad is a prime example of this new approach. "Quad is very clear about what it does, what it does not do. It continues to try to practically address issues that stand in its way, with I tries to practically address issues in the Indo-Pacific, from renewable to ensuring that countries are able to economically make sovereign decisions," he said. O'Farrell's comments come ahead of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's forthcoming state visit to India. The Australian PM will begin his India visit from Ahmedabad on Wednesday and will travel to Mumbai on Thursday. Read more: Australian PM to arrive in India next week; Japanese PM plans 3-day visit to New Delhi He will then hold the annual summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi to discuss areas of cooperation under the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. O'Farrell described the visit as a great opportunity for both countries to further develop economic ties and progress security, defence, and people-to-people relationships. "PM Albanese is bringing together 27 senior Chief executives to talk to their counterparts to explore opportunities, job that exist as a result of India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement," he said. In Ahmedabad, both PMs will watch the fourth Test match in the ongoing Border Gavaskar trophy. "Unlike cricket series, the real benefit of both PMs visiting each other's countries is that both countries win," he said. The visit coincides with the festival of Holi, and the Australian PM is expected to take part in the celebrations in Ahmedabad, according to the envoy. "Prime Minister Albanese will arrive in Ahmedabad on the evening of Holi, and I expect him to take part in those celebrations as will many Indians across Australia," he said. He also remarked on the recent cases of the Khalistani referendum and violence in his country. "Australians are horrified at any vandalism of religious places of worship and police are very active in trying to track down those who are responsible." He emphasized that Australia is a multicultural, multi-faith country that respects freedom of speech, but that "those matters are taken seriously in Australia," he said. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Indian diplomacy praised by Australian high commissioner for effective collaboration with diverse groups

As India faces criticism from some countries in the West over New Delhi's position amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Australian high commissioner Barry O'Farrell has said "Quad countries have accepted India's position, each country has a bilateral relationship".

Australia, along with India, Japan and the United States are members of the Quad group, a group which Beijing is very suspicious of. &nbsp;

The group had held a virtual meet earlier this month in the aftermath of the Russian invasion and discussed its implication on the Indo-Pacific.&nbsp;

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The high commissioner highlighted that "it's clear from the comments of MEA, PM that he has used his contacts to call for the end of the conflict and no country will be unhappy with that".&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin three times since the invasion that began on February 24.&nbsp;

India has been calling for direct dialogue between the two countries and early cessation of violence. At the United Nations, India has abstained during various votes on Ukraine crisis and is currently in talks to get discounted Russian crude oil.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/with-focus-on-critical-minerals-australia-to-announce-rs-1500-crore-investment-in-india-464046" hreflang="en">With focus on critical minerals, Australia to announce Rs 1500 crore investment in India</a>

The Australian stance comes even as Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Saturday minced no words to condemn Russian invasion during his visit to Delhi.&nbsp;

Standing alongside PM Modi at Hyderabad house, Kishida said that the invasion "shakes the very foundations of the international order and must be dealt with firmly".&nbsp;

Japan, Australia and US have not only condemned Russian actions, but also announced a slew of sanctions against the country.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs of the United States Victoria Nuland, Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu and Deputy Under Secretary of Defence for Policy Amanda Dory will be in Delhi from Monday.&nbsp;

This is the first US govt official delegation to be in Delhi since Russian invasion and will hold talks on the with Indian side on number of issues including the Indo-Pacific.

As India faces criticism from some countries in the West over New Delhi's position amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Australian high commissioner Barry O'Farrell has said "Quad countries have accepted India's position, each country has a bilateral relationship".

As India faces criticism from some countries in the West over New Delhi's position amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Australian high commissioner Barry O'Farrell has said "Quad countries have accepted India's position, each country has a bilateral relationship". Australia, along with India, Japan and the United States are members of the Quad group, a group which Beijing is very suspicious of. The group had held a virtual meet earlier this month in the aftermath of the Russian invasion and discussed its implication on the Indo-Pacific. The high commissioner highlighted that "it's clear from the comments of MEA, PM that he has used his contacts to call for the end of the conflict and no country will be unhappy with that". Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin three times since the invasion that began on February 24. India has been calling for direct dialogue between the two countries and early cessation of violence. At the United Nations, India has abstained during various votes on Ukraine crisis and is currently in talks to get discounted Russian crude oil. Also read | With focus on critical minerals, Australia to announce Rs 1500 crore investment in India The Australian stance comes even as Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Saturday minced no words to condemn Russian invasion during his visit to Delhi. Standing alongside PM Modi at Hyderabad house, Kishida said that the invasion "shakes the very foundations of the international order and must be dealt with firmly". Japan, Australia and US have not only condemned Russian actions, but also announced a slew of sanctions against the country. Meanwhile, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs of the United States Victoria Nuland, Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu and Deputy Under Secretary of Defence for Policy Amanda Dory will be in Delhi from Monday. This is the first US govt official delegation to be in Delhi since Russian invasion and will hold talks on the with Indian side on number of issues including the Indo-Pacific.

Quad accepts India's position, says Australian envoy on Ukraine crisis

QUAD foreign ministers pledge deeper coordination as they hold meeting in Australia's Melbourne amid growing ties between Russia and China against the backdrop of invasion fears in Ukraine. WION's Siddhant Sibbal speaks with Australian envoy Barry O'Farrell for more details.

QUAD aims at free, open, secure Indo-Pacific, says Australian envoy Barry O'Farrell

Close on the heels of Quad foreign ministers meet in Melbourne, Australian high commissioner to India Barry O'Farrell has said that the gathering is a sign of return to "in-person meetings".

Speaking exclusively to WION’s Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal, envoy Barry called the “incredibly important meeting” a demonstration of “four countries talking about the need to maintain a rules-based order within our region”.&nbsp;

On Friday, the foreign ministers of India, Australia, the US &amp; Japan met in Melbourne in an in-person meet after a gap of over one year. The last in-person meeting took place in Japan in 2020.

In Delhi, the Indian and Australian Trade Ministers announced that an interim free trade agreement (FTA) would be finalised in a month's time.

Meanwhile, speaking on the possibility of the India-Australia-France trilateral meeting in Paris, the envoy said that the 3 countries have “never lost sight” to the “commitment on the Indo pacific”.&nbsp;

The ties between Australia and France had nosedived following the singing of the AUKUS pact between Washington, London and Canberra, a fallout that was seen on another trilateral meeting.

WION: How do you see the Quad meet that happened in Melbourne, in terms of its significance?

Barry O'Farrell: It is an incredibly important meeting that is demonstrated by the in-person presence of foreign ministers of four countries who are talking about the need to maintain a rules-based order in our region. That fits nicely with what we are doing in Delhi. Both Indian and Australian governments are trying to prioritise growth to make counting strong at the time of geopolitical uncertainty

WION: China has hit out at Quad. What are your views on that?

Barry O'Farrell: Great thing about this is that Quad countries continue to do what they do, focusing on practical things that are impacting people's lives in the Indo-Pacific—climate change, health, securing supply chains to build the economies. What we are doing in Delhi today is in line with what the Quad wants—which is free, open, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific, rules-based system.

WION: In Delhi, it has been decided that an interim FTA will be signed this month. How far progress has been made?

Barry O'Farrell: Notably, considerable progress is being made. Both the countries’ PMs will be happy when they get a report on what is going on in the last couple of days. But ultimately, what we seeking to do is to maximize the opportunity within both countries and to assist each other to grow economies, create jobs, give people better- iving standards and deliver free, open, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific, which PM Modi said is the sacred duty of Australia and India.

WION: A Memorandum of Understanding on tourism was also signed. How will it help in increasing tourism?

Barry O'Farrell: It will become convenient for Indians to come to Australia from February 21, when our borders will be open. Currently, no extra cost on visas is levied. But this is just a return to what was happening during the pre-pandemic when we saw strong tourism between India and Australia. It was not just Indians coming to Australia, but Australians were also going to India.

WION: Can we see more high-level visits between the two sides?

Barry O'Farrell: What we have seen with the Quad meeting today is the return to normalcy—the return of in-person meetings. We have seen trade negotiators from Australia this week. Our trade minister is meeting face-to-face with his Indian counterpart. We will see Indian ministers going to Australia in a couple of months.

WION: Australian FM is going to France. It is an important visit. Will we see India-France-Australia trilateral meet, given the AUKUS somewhat might turned out to be a wheel back?

Barry O'Farrell: One thing is that France, Australia and India have never lost sight of their commitment to the Indo-Pacific. Fact that the Australian FM is going to Paris later this month is a great thing, but whether the proposed trilateral happen is up to the Indian and French foreign ministers as well.

Close on the heels of Quad foreign ministers meet in Melbourne, Australian high commissioner to India Barry O'Farrell has said that the gathering is a sign of return to "in-person meetings".

Close on the heels of Quad foreign ministers meet in Melbourne, Australian high commissioner to India Barry O'Farrell has said that the gathering is a sign of return to "in-person meetings". Speaking exclusively to WION’s Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal, envoy Barry called the “incredibly important meeting” a demonstration of “four countries talking about the need to maintain a rules-based order within our region”. On Friday, the foreign ministers of India, Australia, the US & Japan met in Melbourne in an in-person meet after a gap of over one year. The last in-person meeting took place in Japan in 2020. In Delhi, the Indian and Australian Trade Ministers announced that an interim free trade agreement (FTA) would be finalised in a month's time. Meanwhile, speaking on the possibility of the India-Australia-France trilateral meeting in Paris, the envoy said that the 3 countries have “never lost sight” to the “commitment on the Indo pacific”. The ties between Australia and France had nosedived following the singing of the AUKUS pact between Washington, London and Canberra, a fallout that was seen on another trilateral meeting. WION: How do you see the Quad meet that happened in Melbourne, in terms of its significance? Barry O'Farrell: It is an incredibly important meeting that is demonstrated by the in-person presence of foreign ministers of four countries who are talking about the need to maintain a rules-based order in our region. That fits nicely with what we are doing in Delhi. Both Indian and Australian governments are trying to prioritise growth to make counting strong at the time of geopolitical uncertainty WION: China has hit out at Quad. What are your views on that? Barry O'Farrell: Great thing about this is that Quad countries continue to do what they do, focusing on practical things that are impacting people's lives in the Indo-Pacific—climate change, health, securing supply chains to build the economies. What we are doing in Delhi today is in line with what the Quad wants—which is free, open, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific, rules-based system. WION: In Delhi, it has been decided that an interim FTA will be signed this month. How far progress has been made? Barry O'Farrell: Notably, considerable progress is being made. Both the countries’ PMs will be happy when they get a report on what is going on in the last couple of days. But ultimately, what we seeking to do is to maximize the opportunity within both countries and to assist each other to grow economies, create jobs, give people better- iving standards and deliver free, open, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific, which PM Modi said is the sacred duty of Australia and India. WION: A Memorandum of Understanding on tourism was also signed. How will it help in increasing tourism? Barry O'Farrell: It will become convenient for Indians to come to Australia from February 21, when our borders will be open. Currently, no extra cost on visas is levied. But this is just a return to what was happening during the pre-pandemic when we saw strong tourism between India and Australia. It was not just Indians coming to Australia, but Australians were also going to India. WION: Can we see more high-level visits between the two sides? Barry O'Farrell: What we have seen with the Quad meeting today is the return to normalcy—the return of in-person meetings. We have seen trade negotiators from Australia this week. Our trade minister is meeting face-to-face with his Indian counterpart. We will see Indian ministers going to Australia in a couple of months. WION: Australian FM is going to France. It is an important visit. Will we see India-France-Australia trilateral meet, given the AUKUS somewhat might turned out to be a wheel back? Barry O'Farrell: One thing is that France, Australia and India have never lost sight of their commitment to the Indo-Pacific. Fact that the Australian FM is going to Paris later this month is a great thing, but whether the proposed trilateral happen is up to the Indian and French foreign ministers as well.

In-person Quad meet is a sign of return to normalcy, says Australian envoy Barry O'Farrell

The Australian High Commissioner Barry O'Farrell has expressed "deep disappointment" over "lack of inclusiveness" when it comes to Taliban announcement on the new government in Afghanistan.

Taliban, on Tuesday, announced a 33-member government, which is being led by Prime Minister Mohammad Hassan Akhund and two deputies — Maulavi Abdul Salam Hanafi and Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar. Out of these 33, 17 names that have been announced are on the United Nation's terror list.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pak-should-ensure-afghan-soil-is-not-used-to-spread-terrorism-india-to-russia-411696">Pak should ensure Afghan soil is not used to spread terrorism: India to Russia</a>

"Australia is deeply disappointed by the lack of inclusion in the new govt's make up particularly there are no women, no representation from Hazara community, no ethnic minorities, no members of the former govt, it includes 2 members of Haqqani. Haqqani network which as we know is a terrorist organization,"&nbsp;Barry O'Farrell said.&nbsp;

Kabul fell to Taliban on August 15 and since then heartbreaking visuals have emerged of people as Afghans and foreigners have been trying to leave the country. A resistance is also taking shape in Panjshir, which is still not under complete Taliban control, even though the group has claimed otherwise.

Barry O'Farrell said, his country is "consulting our closest partners in ensuring a joint approach in the engagement with the Taliban". He also said the focus is that "Taliban ensures safe passage" to those who want to leave "cease violence, peruses an inclusive govt, prevents violent extremism within Afghanistan, prevents outward terrorism from Afghanistan, pursues an inclusive government, prevents growth of extremism within Afghanistan, prevents terrorism from Afghanistan and upholds human rights, particularly of women and girls", adding "we will judge the govt of Afghanistan by its action and shape engagement with Taliban."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/afghan-crisis-to-shadow-brics-summit-chaired-by-india-on-thursday-411702" hreflang="en">Afghan crisis to shadow BRICS summit chaired by India on Thursday</a>

The worry over Afghanistan becoming a safe haven for international terrorists has been raised by several countries. India has specifically warned that the territory might be used by Pakistan-based international terror groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and lashkar-e-taiba (LeT).

These comments by the Australian envoy come&nbsp;just a day before Australian foreign and defense ministers land in Delhi for the first India-Australia 2+2 ministerial dialogue on Saturday. The meet will see participation of Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and EAM Jaishankar from the Indian side. The meet will naturally see discussions on many issues such as Afghanistan, an aggressive China and Indo-Pacific coordination.

Australia wants to do much more with India with both countries being ambitious about the ties. Under Malabar exercises, forces of India, US, Australia and Japan are undertaking exercises in Guam. Part two of the exercise will take place in Bay of Bengal from September 11 to 14. Both are part of the Quad and leaders of grouping are expected to meet in Washington later this month for the first in-person summit.

The Australian High Commissioner Barry O'Farrell has expressed "deep disappointment" over "lack of inclusiveness" when it comes to Taliban announcement on the new government in Afghanistan.

The Australian High Commissioner Barry O'Farrell has expressed "deep disappointment" over "lack of inclusiveness" when it comes to Taliban announcement on the new government in Afghanistan. Taliban, on Tuesday, announced a 33-member government, which is being led by Prime Minister Mohammad Hassan Akhund and two deputies — Maulavi Abdul Salam Hanafi and Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar. Out of these 33, 17 names that have been announced are on the United Nation's terror list. Also read | Pak should ensure Afghan soil is not used to spread terrorism: India to Russia "Australia is deeply disappointed by the lack of inclusion in the new govt's make up particularly there are no women, no representation from Hazara community, no ethnic minorities, no members of the former govt, it includes 2 members of Haqqani. Haqqani network which as we know is a terrorist organization," Barry O'Farrell said. Kabul fell to Taliban on August 15 and since then heartbreaking visuals have emerged of people as Afghans and foreigners have been trying to leave the country. A resistance is also taking shape in Panjshir, which is still not under complete Taliban control, even though the group has claimed otherwise. Barry O'Farrell said, his country is "consulting our closest partners in ensuring a joint approach in the engagement with the Taliban". He also said the focus is that "Taliban ensures safe passage" to those who want to leave "cease violence, peruses an inclusive govt, prevents violent extremism within Afghanistan, prevents outward terrorism from Afghanistan, pursues an inclusive government, prevents growth of extremism within Afghanistan, prevents terrorism from Afghanistan and upholds human rights, particularly of women and girls", adding "we will judge the govt of Afghanistan by its action and shape engagement with Taliban." Also read | Afghan crisis to shadow BRICS summit chaired by India on Thursday The worry over Afghanistan becoming a safe haven for international terrorists has been raised by several countries. India has specifically warned that the territory might be used by Pakistan-based international terror groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and lashkar-e-taiba (LeT). These comments by the Australian envoy come just a day before Australian foreign and defense ministers land in Delhi for the first India-Australia 2+2 ministerial dialogue on Saturday. The meet will see participation of Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and EAM Jaishankar from the Indian side. The meet will naturally see discussions on many issues such as Afghanistan, an aggressive China and Indo-Pacific coordination. Australia wants to do much more with India with both countries being ambitious about the ties. Under Malabar exercises, forces of India, US, Australia and Japan are undertaking exercises in Guam. Part two of the exercise will take place in Bay of Bengal from September 11 to 14. Both are part of the Quad and leaders of grouping are expected to meet in Washington later this month for the first in-person summit.

Deeply disappointed by lack of inclusion: Australian Envoy Barry O'Farrell on Taliban govt

In the first-ever interview after the first India Australia virtual summit, Australia's envoy to India Barry O'Farrell speaking exclusively to WION has said while the countries are separated by the Indian ocean both Delhi and Canberra are joined in a shared goal and responsibility to maintain its security. Speaking exclusively to our Principal Diplomatic Correspondent, Sidhant Sibal, Australian envoy said, "both share a view around multilateral issues to resolve issues" and "Quad is important to share perspective on COVID". Both India and Australia had the first virtual summit on Thursday.

WION exclusive conversation with Australia's envoy to India Barry O'Farrell

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