I remain gravely concerned about the escalation in tension
between India and Pakistan.
On my instructions, the Acting Secretary of my Department has called
in the Indian and Pakistani High Commissioners to express Australia's
great fears about the possibility of hostilities.
We have asked India and Pakistan to take all possible measures
to reduce the tensions between them and to avoid hostilities. We
have renewed our call to Pakistan to take urgent steps to ensure
that its territory cannot be used to launch terrorist attacks against
India.
The rise in tension between India and Pakistan will require a commitment
to dialogue and strong leadership from both governments to avoid
the consequences for their own communities of hostilities between
them.
As nuclear capable states, India and Pakistan bear a great responsibility
to the region and the international community to resolve their differences
peacefully.
My Department is keeping our travel advice to both countries under
very close review. Intending travellers to India and Pakistan are
urged to consult the travel advisory at www.dfat.gov.au./travel.
Media enquiries: Chris Kenny (Ministerial) 02 6277 7500 / Lyndall
Sachs (Departmental) 02 6261 1555
