Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop visits Glenwood gurdwara

SYDNEY: Julie Bishop, MP, Minister for Foreign Affairs, government of Australia, the first woman deputy leader of the Liberal Party and only the third woman to have held the title of deputy leader of the opposition met with representatives of the Sikh community paid obeisances at the Glenwood gurdwara on June 12. She was accompanied by Alex Hawke, federal member of the Australian House of Representatives representing Mitchell and the parliamentary secretary and chairperson of the Australia-India parliamentary network.
Bishop held a brief press conference outside the gurdwara and assured that the recent agreement with India regarding the supply of uranium will be implemented as soon as India makes known its demand for energy. Following the press conference, she participated in a closed door meeting with prominent members of the Australian Sikh Association.
Ajaib Singh Sidhu welcomed the minister and spoke about the contribution of the Sikh community to the country. He also highlighted upon the shared commonwealth heritage of both India and Australia, while Jagtar Singh, secretary of the Australian Sikh Association spoke about issues of Sikh identity, the requirement of land for extension of the Sikh temple and the establishment of geriatric care facilities.
Sarjinder Singh Sandhu, president of ASA, escorted the minister to the main hall where she paid obeisances, listened to gurbani kirtan for sometime and addressed the audience. Bishop was given a tour of the gurdwara and shown the community kitchen (langar) hall during her visit.