ID :
10660
Tue, 06/24/2008 - 10:01
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/10660
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India, Oz sign pacts on extradition, mutual legal assistance
Natasha Chaku
Canberra, Jun 24 (PTI) -India and Australia Monday inked
treaties on extradition and mutual legal assistance in
criminal matters as they vowed to enhance their strategic
security and counter-terrorism cooperation.
"Australia wants to take the relationship with India to
the front ranks of the partnerships we have," Foreign Minister
Stephen Smith said at a joint press briefing with visiting
External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee after the
agreements were signed here.
"These are a couple of practical illustrations of how we
want our strategic security, defence and counter-terrorism
arrangements to be enhanced," he said.
The two countries agreed to further strengthen their
relationship by forming a new body to hold yearly talks and by
signing treaties to increase anti-terror efforts.
The Australia-India Roundtable will be held by the Lowy
Institute and the Indian Council for World Affairs. Australia
also announced that it would spend 10 million Australian
dollars to fund discussions on public policy issues such as
agriculture, climate change and resource management.
Reviving the bilateral dialogue framework after a gap of
three years, the ministers had in-depth and wide-ranging
discussions on international and regional issues, including
food security and energy security challenges and decided to
work together at ministerial level.
They also deliberated on bilateral economic potential,
education, security and counter-terrorism measures.
Mukherjee said the two countries looked forward to
increasing operation in areas such as energy, information
technology and biotechnology.
The two sides also decided to hold regular talks between
their chiefs of defence, which will be held in Australia soon.
Smith is likely to visit India in September.
The Foreign Minister said Australia recognised India as
an important country and wants to have good bilateral
relations with India and China.
"It was important for all the major powers - Japan, India
and China -- to have constructive relations between themselves
as well. Its not zero sum game but win-win for all the
nations," he said.
If Australia has good relations with India and was keen
to take the ties to a new level, it does not mean that will be
at the expense of any other nation, he said.
The two countries also noted that the proposal to create
an Australia-India CEOs' forum will ensure that the expanding
economic relationship was underpinned by closer business links
at higher level.
They reiterated that the two sides were looking forward
to receive a feasibility report for a comprehensive free trade
agreement from the joint FTA study group by end of this year.
PTI
Canberra, Jun 24 (PTI) -India and Australia Monday inked
treaties on extradition and mutual legal assistance in
criminal matters as they vowed to enhance their strategic
security and counter-terrorism cooperation.
"Australia wants to take the relationship with India to
the front ranks of the partnerships we have," Foreign Minister
Stephen Smith said at a joint press briefing with visiting
External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee after the
agreements were signed here.
"These are a couple of practical illustrations of how we
want our strategic security, defence and counter-terrorism
arrangements to be enhanced," he said.
The two countries agreed to further strengthen their
relationship by forming a new body to hold yearly talks and by
signing treaties to increase anti-terror efforts.
The Australia-India Roundtable will be held by the Lowy
Institute and the Indian Council for World Affairs. Australia
also announced that it would spend 10 million Australian
dollars to fund discussions on public policy issues such as
agriculture, climate change and resource management.
Reviving the bilateral dialogue framework after a gap of
three years, the ministers had in-depth and wide-ranging
discussions on international and regional issues, including
food security and energy security challenges and decided to
work together at ministerial level.
They also deliberated on bilateral economic potential,
education, security and counter-terrorism measures.
Mukherjee said the two countries looked forward to
increasing operation in areas such as energy, information
technology and biotechnology.
The two sides also decided to hold regular talks between
their chiefs of defence, which will be held in Australia soon.
Smith is likely to visit India in September.
The Foreign Minister said Australia recognised India as
an important country and wants to have good bilateral
relations with India and China.
"It was important for all the major powers - Japan, India
and China -- to have constructive relations between themselves
as well. Its not zero sum game but win-win for all the
nations," he said.
If Australia has good relations with India and was keen
to take the ties to a new level, it does not mean that will be
at the expense of any other nation, he said.
The two countries also noted that the proposal to create
an Australia-India CEOs' forum will ensure that the expanding
economic relationship was underpinned by closer business links
at higher level.
They reiterated that the two sides were looking forward
to receive a feasibility report for a comprehensive free trade
agreement from the joint FTA study group by end of this year.
PTI
