Advertisement

Help
You are here: Rediff Home » India » News » PTI
Search:  Rediff.com The Web
Advertisement
  Discuss this Article   |      Email this Article   |      Print this Article

Australia plays down diplomatic rift with India
Related Articles
Glasgow Blasts: The Indian Connection

Get news updates:What's this?
Advertisement
July 18, 2007 09:09 IST

Australian Attorney-General Philip Ruddock on Wednesday played down the risk of a diplomatic rift between his country and India over the continued detention of Indian doctor Mohammed Haneef, charged with supporting a terrorist organisation.

He said the concerns raised by the Indian government did not constitute a diplomatic rift between the countries.

"What I understand the Indian government said was they wanted that Haneef be dealt with justly," he said, according to The Australian report.

"I don't know that they were saying he was being dealt with unjustly. They were concerned to express a view about the process they wish to see applied," he said adding, "they're making representations on behalf of their citizen, and they're entitled to do that as Australia offers consular support and assistance to Australians who are dealt with in jurisdictions abroad."

Indian and Australian authorities continued to work closely in investigating Haneef's possible links to the UK terror plots, he added.

"In terms of the ongoing cooperation in relation to investigations relating to terrorist matters, which are cross-jurisdictional, we're having very close cooperation with India as you would expect," he said.

A Brisbane magistrate granted the Indian national bail on Monday, but hours later Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews cancelled his visa on character grounds.

The Indian government formally expressed its concern about Haneef's continued detention on Tuesday.

Haneef's lawyers will on Wednesday launch an appeal in the federal court against Andrews' cancellation of their client's visa.


© Copyright 2007 PTI. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of PTI content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent.
 Email this Article      Print this Article

© 2007 Rediff.com India Limited. All Rights Reserved. Disclaimer | Feedback