Welcome to the Institute’s first newsletter for 2026. Exciting new projects across our key program pillars will see new partnerships on our initiatives this year. Whilst we continue to witness ongoing tensions across the globe, the Dalai Lama’s Grammy award for best audio-book and narration is a wonderful acknowledgement of his teachings of peace and compassion. With that spirit, I was privileged to have an audience with His Holiness during my recent visit to Dharamshala and shared a conversation on the Tibetan Middle Way approach.
The Institute has already been active this year on issues of turbulence and uncertainty in our region. Our recent webinar on “What to Expect When You’re Expecting Uncertainty: The Indo-Pacific in 2026” led by Dr Teesta Prakash highlights the unprecedented changes to the rules based order and the geostrategic challenges that will define our region in the year ahead. While Senior Policy and Projects Manager – Security and Geopolitics Grace Corcoran has written on the recent Bangladesh election and its impact for India.
Domestically, as Australia’s social cohesion has come under strain, I was delighted to record our first Chats Over Chai podcast for the year in conversation with Eden Foster MP, the first woman of Indian heritage in the Victorian Legislative Assembly, on the strength of cultural diversity in Australia’s democracy.
In the first video of our new Explainer series, which breaks down important issues for both our nations, Dr Teesta Prakash explained the similarities and differences of January 26 as a day of national significance for Australia and India. Research Fellow Hiya Harinandini also shared how the Institute’s Australia India Research Collaboration Framework, a five year roadmap launched late last year by Minister Jason Clare, is helping bring industry, institutions and researchers together as part of this series – poignant as 2026 marks 20 years of the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund.
Finally, as March unfolds, I’m looking forward to hosting a first-of-its-kind event in Delhi on Two Decades of Australia India Relations from the perspectives of three Australian High Commissioners past and present. Also a warm welcome to the Institute’s new Executive Officer, Isabel Campbell-Taylor, who is a wonderful addition to our team.
Wishing everyone an upcoming very happy Holi!
Best
Lisa