Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles praised India’s ‘Operation Sindoor’ and hailed the stoppage of military actions as a mark of Indian leadership.
New Delhi: Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles praised India’s response to the Pahalgam terror attack, calling ‘Operation Sindoor’ a justified act of defence and the subsequent ceasefire with Pakistan an example of strong Indian leadership.
Reacting to the April 22 attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baisaran valley, where 26 tourists, including one Nepali citizen, were killed, Marles described the incident as “appalling” and expressed Australia’s solidarity with India. “We met the news of what happened in Pahalgam with utter shock. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese personally reached out to Prime Minister Modi to convey condolences,” he said.
Marles reiterated Australia’s firm stance against terrorism. “We stand with India, as we do with all nations, in combating terrorism in all its forms. That’s where the strikes stand,” he said, referring to India’s retaliatory military campaign across the border.
India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), resulting in the elimination of over 100 terrorists. The strikes came in response to the deadly Pahalgam attack.
While speaking about the May 10 ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan, Marles emphasized that the decision to pause military action reflected both restraint and leadership. “We acknowledge and welcome the stoppage in military activity. We see it as an act of Indian leadership — and certainly not an easy decision,” he said.
When asked about former US President Donald Trump’s past claims of mediation between India and Pakistan, Marles refrained from commenting directly, but noted, “Every country has a stake in global peace. We all appreciate the stoppage of military activity and recognize India’s leadership in that context.”
Marles stressed that the ceasefire should not overshadow the cause behind India’s military response. “There was a clear act of terror that we strongly condemn. We must remember the events that led to the strikes and continue focusing on counter-terrorism efforts,” he said.
Australia, he concluded, remains committed to working closely with India in global efforts to tackle terrorism.
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