We will not accept, says PM Modi as India, Australia vow strict action against temple vandalism
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart discussed the recent attacks on temples and the activities of separatist elements in Australia during bilateral talks in Sydney. PM Modi is on a three-day visit to Australia.
At a joint press briefing after the bilateral meeting, PM Modi said such elements “by their actions or thoughts” will not be tolerated that could jeopardise the relations between India and Australia. He also said that PM Albanese assured him of taking strict action against them in the future.
“PM Anthony Albanese and I have in the past discussed the issue of attacks on temples in Australia and activities of separatist elements. We discussed the matter today also. We will not accept any elements that harm the friendly and warm ties between the India-Australia relationship by their actions or thoughts. PM Albanese assured me once again today that he will take strict actions against such elements in the future also,” said PM Modi.
On his part, PM Albanese said Australia is a “multicultural country” and it respects “people’s faith”, and stressed that such attacks will not be tolerated at all.
The remarks from both leaders came against the backdrop of attacks on temples in Australia in the past few months.
In March, the Laxmi Narayan Temple in Brisbane was attacked by Khalistani extremists, with the boundary of the temple vandalised with hateful graffiti. On January 23, the walls of the ISCKON temple in Melbourne’s Albert Park were vandalised with graffiti that read ‘Hindustan murdabad’.
On January 16, the Shri Shiva Vishnu Temple in Victoria’s Carrum Downs was vandalised, while the Swaminarayan temple in Melbourne was defaced on January 12 with anti-India graffiti.
BILATERAL TALKS
PM Modi and Albanese held bilateral talks in Sydney where they discussed issues in areas including defence, trade, people-to-people ties and security. Both sides stressed an open and stable Indo-Pacific region, in view of China’s aggressive actions in the region.
Ahead of the bilateral meeting, PM Modi was accorded a ceremonial guard of honour at Admiralty House in Sydney. He also signed the visitors’ book.
On Monday, PM Modi arrived in Sydney on a three-day visit, after completing his trips to Papua New Guinea and Japan, where he attended the G7 summit as a special guest. As he landed in Sydney, he was welcomed by the Indian community in the city.
The Prime Minister met top Australian business leaders and he addressed a massive gathering of the Indian community in Qudos Bank Arena along with PM Albanese. He spoke at length about the contributions of the Indian diaspora and highlighted the close ties shared between India and Australia.
He said the relationship between the two countries has gone beyond the 3Cs — Commonwealth, Cricket and Curry, 3Ds — Democracy, Diaspora and Dosti (friendship) and 3Es — Energy, Economy and Education, asserting it is based on “mutual trust” and “mutual respect”.
He announced that a new Indian consulate would be opened in Brisbane soon.
During the special community event, a street in Western Sydney where the Indian community celebrates festivals and events such as Diwali and Australia Day, was officially renamed “Little India” by PM Modi and PM Albanese.