New Delhi, India: Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has refused to comment on revelations Australia was spying on Indonesian leaders, but conceded the northern neighbour had “deep concerns” about Australia’s espionage regime.
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Speaking in New Delhi late on Monday, Ms Bishop said she was aware of the concerns of Indonesian government.
Foreign minister Marty Natalegawa has been trying to call Ms Bishop, but she would not confirm whether she had spoken to him.
“I certainly take on board the concerns expressed by the Indonesian government. We note their deep concerns but … it is not practice for the Australian government to comment on intelligence matters and I intend to maintain that practice and that principle.”
Ms Bishop said she would not offer a “running commentary” on the diplomatic row, which has seen Indonesia withdraw its ambassador and demand an apology and an explanation.
Indonesian co-operation is crucial for the new Coalition government, especially on the issue of stopping asylum seeker boats, a key election promise.
“We value the relationship with Indonesia and the Abbott government will work very hard to ensure that the relationship continues to be strong,” Ms Bishop said. “It is in the interests of both nations, I suggest, that we continue to co-operate as much as we can across a whole range of areas.
"We are determined to ensure that the relationship continues to flourish, we are aware of their concerns and we take them seriously, but I am not going to comment on intelligence matters.”
India’s external affairs minister Salman Kurshid was asked whether he was worried Australia was spying on India, too.
“We are looking at signing an agreement on nuclear co-operation. That is not something that happens between nations who don’t trust each other,” he said. “We have trust, we have a very wholesome working relationship.”
He said he was confident Australia and Indonesia would resolve the current dispute.
