Quad initiative, travel restrictions Canberra imposed because of pandemic on agendaIndia and Australia are expected to hold the first minister-level “2 plus 2” meeting in September. Foreign Minister Marise Payne and Defence Minister Peter Dutton are expected to visit India and Indonesia in September after holding talks with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defence Secretary General Lloyd Austin. Apart from the Quad initiative, Australia and India also have to deal with the travel restrictions that have been placed because of the pandemic. The next step in opening up the Australian travel routes to the Indians is yet to be announced. The Quad countries — Australia, India, Japan and the U.S. — will participate in the annual Malabar exercise near Guam later this month.

Source: The Hindu August 11, 2021 23:15 UTC