Jaishankar meets Australian counterpart over Taliban issue

New Delhi,  As a part of inaugural ‘two-plus-two’ ministerial dialogue between the two countries India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday held talks with his Australian counterpart Marise Payne.

“Delighted to welcome my good friend FM @MarisePayne of Australia. We now start our discussions,” Jaishankar tweeted.

The meeting has a political significance with reference to the developments in Afghanistan and ways to further strengthen cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.

Payne and Australian Defence Minister Peter Dutton arrived at New Delhi on Friday on a three-day visit. The Indian delegation at the talks will be led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Jaishankar.

The two defence ministers on Friday discussed the fragile security situation in Afghanistan and their “common concerns” relating possible spread of terrorism from Taliban-ruled Afghanistan.