Prime Minister Scott Morrison has defended banning Australian citizens from returning from India, amid criticism by human rights groups that the government’s threat to punish breaches with fines of roughly $50,000 and five years imprisonment is heavy-handed. “We’re all just working to do what’s right for the health interests of Australians,” Morrison said in a radio interview on Monday, adding that he implemented the ban on the basis of advice from his health officials. “We’re deeply, deeply concerned about the humanitarian crisis in India.” As infections surge in countries such as India, where daily cases topped 400,000 for the first time on Saturday, there are fears Australia’s quarantine system will buckle with more returning travelers testing positive. While the nation has come close to eliminating local transmission of the virus by closing its international border to non-residents other than a new travel bubble with New Zealand occasional cases leak in
Quad summit expected to do something on COVID vaccine
The Biden administration held the first ministerial meeting of the quadrilateral security dialogue between the US, Japan, Australia, and India
PTI | March 11, 2021 | Updated 08:34 IST
The Quad summit 2021 will be held on Friday
The first Quad summit between the leaders of Australia, India, Japan and the United States on Friday is likely to come out with something on coronavirus vaccine, a top American diplomat indicated Wednesday. We have a Quad summit meeting on Friday with President (Joe) Biden, and I expect we ll see something on vaccines coming out of that summit. There are other things that we re looking at that we re working on in the days and weeks and months ahead to make sure that we are a leading international actor in creating greater access to vaccines, Secretary of State Tony Blinken told lawmakers during a Congressional hearing.
Quad countries to hold virtual summit on March 12
India
Published: Wednesday, March 10, 2021, 8:34 [IST]
New Delhi, Mar 10: Against the backdrop of an increasingly assertive China, the leaders of the four nation Quad grouping would seek to counter Beijing and work towards peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific.
The meeting on March 12 also comes in the backdrop of Being tightening its grip on Hong Kong and also announcing plans to build a high-speed railway and expressway linking China and Taipei.
The Quad meeting would also be US President Joe Biden s first interaction under the security and diplomatic initiative that was revived by former president of the US, Donald Trump. The Biden administration has made it clear that it would work closely with other nations including Quad members to strengthen partnership as part of the strategy on China.
Quad leaders virtual summit to be held on March 12; PM Modi to meet Joe Biden virtually
Quad leaders virtual summit to be held on March 12; PM Modi to meet Joe Biden virtually
The first ‘Quadrilateral Security Dialogue’, also known as the Quad leaders virtual summit, is all set to take place on March 12.
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QUAD leaders (Photo Credits: PTI)
The first ‘Quadrilateral Security Dialogue’, also known as the Quad leaders virtual summit, is all set to take place on March 12.
On Tuesday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in an official statement, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be participating, along with Prime Minister of Australia Scott Morrison and Prime Minister of Japan Yoshihide Suga and President of USA. Joseph R. Biden, in the first Leaders’ Summit of the Quadrilateral Framework, being held virtually on 12th March 2021.”
US Vice President Kamala Harris spoke with Australian PM Scott Morrison on March 2 and both leaders discussed ‘reaffirming the strength’ of both nations.