No future for any separatism, says ex-Australian PM Tony Abbott on Khalistani extremism

He said they should not engage in divisive and politically violent activities against India.

Speaking in the Khalistani issue, the former PM told ANI news agency: "Well, plainly there is no future for any separatism. I think that people who might be unhappy with the status quo should work within the system to make it better rather than engaging in divisive and at times potentially violent activities against the modern democratic pluralist India.”

He said he wants to see the ties between India and Australia to develop further.

“I really want those ties between India and Australia to develop further," he said.

Speaking on China, he said: "I think that its inevitable that as time goes by there will be increasing tension between China and all of its neighbours as long as China remains a Communist dictatorship. I think it's inevitable that will sadly be the case and I think its is going to be very important in that event for all the democracies of the Indo-Pacific to stand together not against one but in favour of the rule of law, in favour of peaceful co-existence and against cohesion and bullying."

He described India as the 'heart' of the QUAD alliance which is comprised of India, Australia, Japan and the USA.

He said: "India is in a sense the point of the Quad because but for Shinzo Abe of Japan and Narendra Modi of India, the Quad wouldn’t really exist. If it develops as it should the Quad will be the most significant geopolitical development since the formation of NATO. I stress that the Quad is not against anyone but what it’s for is really significant."

"The Quad is for a democracy, the rule of law and the rights of all countries to exist in peace without bullying from large and aggressive neighbours particularly given the way China under the current leadership has bullied all of its neighbours,” Tony Abbott told the news agency.

Quad

The Quad is a diplomatic partnership between Australia, India, Japan, and the United States.

As per the Australian government website, it is committed to supporting an open, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific that is inclusive and resilient.