China issue comes up during PM Modi's discussions with counterparts from Australia, Japan

New Delhi, Sept 24: The issue of China as a "very major global player" comes up during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's discussions with his counterparts from Australia and Japan in bilateral meetings on Thursday, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla informed.

 

Addressing a special press briefing on PM Modi's first day of engagements in the US, Shringla said that a number of issues involving bilateral and regional issues of interest were discussed in the meetings. This came after Shringla was asked if the reference of conduct of China over the last couple of years emerged during PM Modi's discussions with Prime Ministers of Australia and Japan in bilateral meetings.

 

 

"In Prime Minister's bilateral meetings with Prime Ministers of Australia and Japan, discussions were wide-ranging encompassing a number of issues that involve bilateral and regional issues of interest. Obviously, the issue of China as a very major global player did come up and of course, this is one of the many issues that were discussed," the foreign secretary said.

 

 

These meetings came a day ahead of the first in-person summit of the Quad, quadrilateral cooperation between Australia, India, Japan, and the United States. Besides PM Modi, Japanese PM Suga and Prime Minister Scott Morrison of Australia will also participate in the summit hosted by the US President on September 24.

 

As per the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) statement, PM Modi discussed the Indo-pacific region in meetings with his Australian and Japanese counterparts. On the other hand, China earlier termed Quad as an "Asian NATO", which was vehemently opposed by the External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at the inaugural 2+2 ministerial meeting between India and Australia.

 

 

PM Narendra Modi is on three-day visit to the United States. He has held discussions with Australian and Japan counterparts. He also held discussion with US Vice President Kamala Harris.