PM Modi raises issue of temple attacks in Australia with Anthony Albanese

Modi said it is a matter of regret that reports of attacks on temples have been coming regularly from Australia

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday conveyed to his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese India's concerns over vandalism of several Hindu temples Down Under allegedly by the activists demanding secession of Khalistan from Punjab in India.

“It is a matter of regret that attacks on temples have been regularly reported in Australia over the past few weeks. It is natural that such news worries people in India, and disturbs our mind,” Modi said as he and Albanese addressed media-persons after a formal meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi. “I have shared these feelings and concerns of ours with Prime Minister Albanese. And he has assured me that the safety of the Indian community is a special priority for him. Our teams will be in regular touch on this topic, and will cooperate as much as possible.”

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The two prime ministers witnessed signing of an agreement for co-production of audio-visual content and an MoU for cooperation in sports. The terms of reference of the India-Australia Solar Task Force was finalised during the meeting. The two sides exchanged letters of intent for cooperation between India’s Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) and Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation.

“Security cooperation is an important pillar of our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Today, we had a detailed discussion on maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region, and increasing mutual defence and security cooperation,” Modi said.

The two prime ministers tasked the concerned officials on both sides to expedite conclusion of an ambitious and balanced Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement within the next three months, which would promote and support the mobility of students, graduates, academic researchers, business people and other professionals now and into the future, while also enhancing cooperation on issues pertaining to irregular migration.

They noted that the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement had come into force last year. “We also agreed on an early conclusion of our ambitious Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement as soon as possible. And I'm hopeful that we'll be able to finalise that this year. This transformational deal will realise the full potential of the bilateral economic relationship, creating new employment opportunities and raising living standards for the people of both Australia and India,” said Albanese, who was on a tour to India since Wednesday.

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“Our concerns and our sentiments both relating to the incidents of vandalism of temples and the of pro-Khalistani activities in Australia were shared very frankly with the Prime Minister of Australia who in turn assured that they would look into this and take whatever is the suitable measures they need to take to address and mitigate this challenge,” Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra said.

The joint statement issued by the two sides after the meeting also noted that the two prime ministers agreed on the importance of protecting the safety and security of the Indian community in Australia, and ensuring continued harmony.

The Shree Laxmi Narayan Temple in Brisbane became the latest target of the vandals last week. Earlier, the Swami Narayan Temple and the ISKCON Temple in Melbourne and the Sri Shiva Vishnu Temple in Carrum Downs had been vandalised between January 12 and 23, with anti-India and pro-Khalistani graffiti being painted on the walls of the shrines.

New Delhi has been conveying to Canberra its concerns over the activities of the pro-Khalistan Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) in Australia. The SFJ held a referendum in Melbourne and Sydney in Australia on January 30 last in order to drum up support for secession of Khalistan from India. It had conducted similar referendums in Canada and the United Kingdom in the past.