Australia

India-Australia virtual summit after Modi hosts Japanese PM visit this month: Reports
Newsmen News Desk -
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian PM Scott Morrison are planning to hold a virtual bilateral summit. This summit will be held after Japanese PM Fumio Kishida’s bilateral visit to India on 19th and 20th March, as per a report by  Economic Times. On the agenda of this virtual meet will be Indo-Pacific defence partnership, supply chain issues, import of critical minerals from Australia among other things.
Ukraine-like unilateral and forcible changes to staus quo should not be allowed in Indo-Pacific: Japan PM Fumio Kishida
Newsmen News Desk -
 “We've agreed that unilateral changes to the status quo with force like this (citing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine) should not be allowed in the Indo-Pacific region… We've also agreed this development makes it even more important to work toward realising a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said to reporters after the meeting.
'Suspicious' white powder sent to Russian Embassy in Aus capital
IANS -
Two mysterious packages containing an "unknown white powder" were discovered outside the embassy early on Thursday morning, RT News quoted the diplomatic mission as saying, noting that local authorities are now inspecting the envelopes .A number of emergency vehicles were later seen at the embassy, including a hazardous materials response unit, whose members were shown clad in special protective gear in images circulating in Australian media.
One-third unlikely to vote for Aus govt in upcoming polls
IANS -
According to the new Essential poll, which was commissioned by peak health body the Australian Medical Association (AMA), 34 per cent of voters said they were less likely to vote for the governing Coalition at the upcoming general election because of its record on health issues, reports Xinhua news agency.
'Quad is not Asian NATO': Here's what Jaishankar said at Munich Security Conference
Newsmen News Desk -
Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar on Saturday dismissed the notion that Quad grouping is Asian NATO. He was participating in a panel discussion on 'A Sea Change? Regional Order and Security in the Indo-Pacific' at the Munich Security Conference (MSC) 2022. Jaishankar opened up on a wide range of topics including China's aggression in Indo-pacific. Here’s what he said at the conference on diverse topics: 
US calls India 'driving force' of QUAD
Newsmen News Desk -
“We recognise that India is a like-minded partner and leader in South Asia and the Indian Ocean, active in and connected to the Southeast Asia, a driving force of the Quad, and an engine for regional growth and development,” said White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. The United States  has also emphasized upon building a strategic partnership with India to ensure regional peace and stability.
Australia launches big bang outreach to India - Maitri initiatives and T20 World Cup will woo Indians Down Under
IANS -
Over 800,000 fans are expected to attend the ICC T20 cricket extravaganza, which Australia will host for the first time in October. Such has been the buzz surrounding the event, in particular to see one of the world cricket's biggest rivalries, that the general ticket allocations for India vs Pakistan encounter at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on October 22 were sold within five minutes of going on sale, last week.
Foreign Minister Jaishankar accuses China of violating written pacts, triggering military stand-off at LAC
Newsmen News Desk -
“… it’s (border standoff) an issue in which a lot of countries legitimately take interest, particularly if they are from the Indo-Pacific region. And because the situation has arisen due to the disregard by China in 2020 of written agreements with us, not to amass forces at the border. So, when a large country disregards written commitments, I think it’s an issue of legitimate concern for the entire international community,” EAM said in a joint press brief after a bilateral meeting with his Australian counterpart.
QUAD displays America’s ‘Cold-War mentality’ aimed at triggering conflict with us: China
Newsmen News Desk -
“China seeks peace, development, and cooperation. We advance the building of an Asia-Pacific security system that is open, inclusive, and not targeting any third country… We hope that the US and relevant countries can get a clear picture of the situation, feel relaxed, abandon the Cold War mentality," said Zhao Lijian, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China.
Australian Defence Minister dismisses reports of plan to depose PM
IANS -
Dutton insisted he is behind Morrison in the lead-up to the election, which is expected to be held in the first half of this year, reports Xinhua news agency. It came after Bob Carr, a former Premier of New South Wales (NSW) and Foreign Minister, claimed Dutton was the government minister involved in a leaked text exchange that savaged Morrison's character with then-NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
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