Last Updated:
Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles praised India’s ‘Operation Sindoor’ and hailed the stoppage of military actions as a mark of Indian leadership.
Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles (Photo: AP)
Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles has hailed India for its retaliatory strikes against Pakistan and opined that ‘Operation Sindoor’ must not have been an easy decision.
In an exclusive conversation with CNN-News18, Marles also praised the ceasefire between India and Pakistan as an act of Indian leadership.
On being asked about the Pahalgam terror attack and India retaliating to such terror attacks, Marles said, “Firstly, we met with the news of what happened in Pahalgam with utter shock.”
“This was an appalling attack, and Prime Minister Albanese personally spoke to Prime Minister Modi almost immediately after these events to extend condolences to India in respect of the loss of lives,” he said.
“Even today, we reiterated that solidarity. We stand with India and with all countries to combat terrorism, and we wanna continue to work with India in combating terrorism in all its forms around the world,” the Australian Deputy Prime Minister said.
Also commenting on the ceasefire between the two countries, Marles said he views that as an act of Indian leadership.
“We do acknowledge and welcome the stoppage in military activity. We actually see that as an act of Indian leadership,” he said.
“We see that there was an act of terror that we condemn, and in simple terms, we stand with India as we stand with all countries in sticking to combat terrorism, and that’s where the strikes stand,” Marles said on being asked if people tend to forget the reason behind India’s ‘Operation Sindoor’.
“We look forward to working with India to combat terrorism in all its forms,” the Australian Deputy Prime Minister reiterated.
“Our Prime Minister very quickly extended his condolences and shock over the incident and the loss of lives,” Marles said, on being asked if his country stands with India in its right to defend against such terror attacks.
Further into the conversation, as Marles was asked to elaborate on his remark on the ceasefire between India and Pakistan, and that he views that as an “act of Indian leadership”, the Australian Deputy Prime Minister said, “We see that, fundamentally, as an act of Indian leadership and we want to acknowledge that in the language we express our appreciation for the stoppage of the military activity.”
“In the same breath, we see that as not an easy decision,” he added.
Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.
Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.
- First Published:
