‘We Stand With India': Australia's Deputy PM Condoles Pahalgam Victims, Meets Rajnath Singh
Last Updated:
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also thanked Australia for standing by India during Operation Sindoor.
In a strong show of solidarity, Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles on Wednesday extended condolences for the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and reiterated Australia's firm support to India in its fight against terrorism.
During his bilateral meeting with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi, Marles opened his remarks by conveying condolences from the Australian Prime Minister. 'I extend condolences from the Australian PM for the victims of Pahalgam… I offer prayers to them… we extend all support to India to combat terrorism," he said.
VIDEO | Australian Deputy PM and Minister of Defence Richard Marles, during a bilateral meeting with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, says, 'Can I start by passing on my PM's condolences to India for all those who lost their lives in the Pahalgam terror attack… We will continue… pic.twitter.com/luz7ArVKMq — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 4, 2025
Marles underscored that Australia stands with India and all countries against terrorism. He appreciated the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that under Modi's leadership, the bilateral relationship between the two countries has grown stronger. 'We certainly see India as a friend and it is on our highest priority," Marles added.
The meeting between the two leaders also focused on the growing defence partnership between the two Indo-Pacific powers. Marles noted that defence ties have become a significant part of the bilateral relationship, with maritime security playing a key role. 'We look forward to the annual meeting between the two countries later this year," he said.
The meeting reflects the growing strategic convergence between New Delhi and Canberra amid shared concerns over regional stability and terrorism, and comes in the wake of the brutal terror attack in Pahalgam that drew widespread international condemnation.
First Published:
June 04, 2025, 13:18 IST
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
13 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Air India plane crashes after take off near Ahmedabad airport: Top updates
An Air India passenger plane crashed near Ahmedabad airport on Thursday afternoon. According to state police control room, there were 242 people onboard. These included 230 passengers, 10 crew members and two pilots. The incident happened after the flight bound for London took off from Ahmedabad airport at 1.39 pm. Follow Live updates Here are the latest updates 1. The plane caught fire after crashing and fire tenders were rushed to the spot to douse the blaze. VIDEO | Ahmedabad Plane crash: New visuals show huge plumes of smoke billowing out of the airport premises. London bound passenger aircraft crashed near Ahmedabad airport earlier today. (Source: Third Party) (Full video available on PTI Videos - — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 12, 2025 2. "Flight AI171, operating Ahmedabad-London Gatwick, was involved in an incident today, 12 June 2025. At this moment, we are ascertaining the details and will share further updates at the earliest," Air India said in a post. 3. In a statement, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said, "Air India B787 Aircraft VT-ANB, while operating flight AI-171 from (Ahmedabad to Gatwick) has crashed immediately after takeoff from Ahmedabad. There were 242 people on board the aircraft, consisting of two pilots and 10 cabin crew. The aircraft was under the command of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal with First Officer Clive Kundar." 4. Captain Sabharwal, the DGCA said, has 8,200 hours of experience. The copilot had 1,100 hours of flying experience. 5. According to the Air Traffic Control (ATC), the plane departed from Ahmadabad at 1.39 pm from runway 23. It gave a mayday call to ATC, but thereafter, no response was given by the aircraft to the calls made by ATC. 6. Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel tweeted, "I am deeply saddened by the incident of Air India passenger plane crash in Ahmedabad. I have instructed the officials to carry out immediate rescue and relief work and arrange for immediate treatment of the injured passengers on a war footing. I have also instructed to arrange for a green corridor to take the injured passengers for treatment and to ensure all arrangements for treatment in the hospital on priority basis. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has also spoken to me and assured full cooperation." 7. In a statement, Air India Chairman N Chandrasekaran said, "With profound sorrow I confirm that Air India Flight 171 operating Ahmedabad London Gatwick was involved in a tragic accident today. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of all those affected by this devastating event. At this moment, our primary focus is on supporting all the affected people and their families. We are doing everything in our power to assist the emergency response teams at the site and to provide all necessary support and care to those impacted. Further updates will be shared as we receive more verified information. An emergency centre has been activated and support team have been set up for families seeking information." 8. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to the Minister of Civil Aviation, Rammohan Naidu, and took stock of the incident. Naidu informed the Prime Minister that he is rushing to Ahmedabad to oversee rescue and relief operations on the ground. 9. A statement by the Office of Rammohan Naidu read, "The Prime Minister has directed the aviation minister to ensure all necessary support is extended immediately and asked to be kept regularly updated on the situation. All relevant agencies are on high alert, and coordinated efforts are underway."
India Today
22 minutes ago
- India Today
Congress's Nana Patole likens Op Sindoor to children's computer game, BJP responds
Former Maharashtra Congress chief and MLA Nana Patole has likened Operation Sindoor to "computer games played by children," citing US President Donald Trump's repeated claims of stopping the war."US President Trump said multiple times that he threatened both nations (India and Pakistan) that they (US) would stop trade with them, so they should call a ceasefire. Operation Sindoor was stopped with his signal. It means that this was a game that was played just like computer games played by children," he was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. advertisementHighlighting that Pakistan-backed terrorists behind the Pahalgam attack are still at large, Patole asked, "Why did the PM not speak about the terrorists who wiped off the 'sindoor' of our sisters? That is a question for the people of the country." "Why did the PM not speak about the terrorists who wiped off the 'sindoor' of our sisters? That is a question for the people of the country," he added.'HAVE SOME SHAME': BJP REACTSPatole's remarks stirred a huge row, with the BJP claiming that they highlighted that the "Congress is hand in glove with Pakistan".Calling it an insult to the Operation, Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule took to X and wrote, 'Congress leader Nana Patole has once again proved that Congress is hand in glove with Pakistan by making an objectionable statement that 'Operation Sindoor is a computer game'."advertisementMaharashtra BJP MLA Chitra Wagh lashed out at the senior Congress leader, pointing out that his real agenda was to spread hatred "in the name of love." "Have some shame, Nana... While mocking Operation Sindoor by calling it a children's computer game, did you not remember the sindoor (vermilion) wiped off the foreheads of our mothers and sisters killed in the Pahalgam attack?," she asked."Defaming Prime Minister Modi and spreading hate in the name of love -- that's your real agenda. Time and again, you prove the saying true: "The hand of Congress is with terrorism," she further said.'Nana, Operation Sindoor is not a computer game, but it is a brave and courageous action against the terrorist bases of Pakistan. It is a burning tale of valour that will instil fear in the hearts of traitors!," he Reel
Hindustan Times
29 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Horrifying moment Air India plane went down 5 minutes after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport
A video capturing the exact moment the Air India plane in Ahmedabad crashed has surfaced on social media. According to the Director General of Civil Aviation, Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, the plane crashed five minutes after taking off at 1:38 pm. It was heading to London's Gatwick. 'Ahmedabad Plane Crash: Video captured exact moment Air India's AI -171 passenger aircraft crashed near Meghnaninagar area earlier today,' PTI wrote as it shared a video. 'Flight AI171, operating Ahmedabad-London Gatwick, was involved in an incident today, 12 June 2025,' Air India said in a statement. The airline added, 'At this moment, we are ascertaining the details and will share further updates at the earliest on our website and on our X handle.'
