Our role as a research and policy Institute delivering track 1.5 dialogues is in full flight for this half of 2023. As part of our Defence program, I was proud to deliver the historic Kolkata Dialogue in September, in partnership with Observer Research Foundation, which brought together leading experts and government officials from both countries to discuss what they could learn from each other to build resilience on the environmental, economic and security challenges facing Pacific and Indian Ocean Island states. The event was an important step forward in the relationship between Australia and India, who play leading roles in their geopolitical and economic spheres of influence. We will also host the Sydney Defence Tech Dialogue in early November to explore opportunities for defence sector collaboration between Australia and India, particularly in the maritime domain.
Our flagship Australia India Leadership Dialogue has been launched in Canberra by Assistant Minister Tim Watts MP and India’s High Commissioner His Excellency Manpreet Vohra. I’m looking forward to chairing this 1.5 track dialogue in Melbourne in November with our principal corporate partner Atlassian and hear from leaders in government, business and academia on clean technology, geopolitics and security, tech and culture and jobs and skills.
As part of our Chats Over Chai podcast series, I spoke to Dr Andrew Charlton MP about his new book ‘Australia’s Pivot to India’ recorded in his electorate of Parramatta, one of the hearts of the Indian diaspora in Australia. We trace the Australia-India relationship from “Acquaintances to Friends to Family to Partners”, and some of the key initiatives required at a business level to increase Australian investment into India. Andrew’s book is a timely work that underscores the importance of the bilateral relationship and maps ideas for a stronger way forward.
Finally, I am excited to announce that Australia’s Education Minister the Hon Jason Claer MP will deliver the Institute’s 2023 Annual Oration in November in Ahmedabad, India as part of his official ministerial visit. Since its inception, the Oration has heard from a range of eminent speakers who have delivered remarkable addresses on the deep and emerging ties between our nations. We look forward to hosting Minister Clare and sharing his address.
Best,
Lisa