NEW DELHI, Sept. 11 (Xinhua) -- India and Australia on Saturday discussed domestic, regional and global issues, including the evolving situation in Afghanistan and enhancing maritime cooperation at their first 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue held in New Delhi.

While Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh represented New Delhi, visiting Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne and Defence Minister Peter Dutton represented their country at the dialogue.

The dialogue was held to raise the bilateral relationship to comprehensive strategic partnership.

The high-level interaction between the two sides took place after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison resolved during their summit-level talks in June 2020 to allow taking the bilateral relationship to the level of comprehensive strategic partnership.

Australia is the third country, after the United States and Japan, with which India holds the dialogue. Russia would soon become the fourth such country.

The four leaders also discussed threadbare the raging issue of allowing Indian students into Australia to carry on with their academics in the post-COVID era.

The Australian foreign minister assured that Indian students would soon be allowed to fly to Australia once international travel restrictions are lifted.

Addressing the media at the conclusion of the dialogue, the two foreign ministers agreed that the international community must ensure that Afghanistan doesn't become a safe haven for terrorism.

They also agreed for women's rights and overall human rights in the strife-torn country.

Both sides also agreed to further strengthen their maritime cooperation. Enditem

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