By Neeraj Nanda
MELBOURNE, 20 August 2021: Former Tasmania Labor MP and the Deputy Chair of the Australia India Council, Lisa Singh says India is a ‘high priority’ country for India, but this should not be seen from the prism of political challenges from China. Lisa was speaking at an online webinar (19 August 2021) ‘The State of India and Australia relations’ organized by the La Trobe Asia. She also welcomed the appointment of former Australian PM Tony Abbott as The Australian PM Scott Morrison’s Special Trade Representative to India and welcomes his recent visit there.
Lisa Singh whose ancestors migrated to Fiji Islands from India explained the importance of the fast-growing Indian economy and its importance for Australia. She also pressed for using the 700,000 Indian Diaspora as an asset and detailed the various grants given by the Australia India Council.
On a question by South Asia Times about India’s reluctance for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) fearing a flood of dairy and food products to India, Lisa said it won’t be easy but was necessary for both the countries:
Source- La Trobe Asia
Speaking about internal issues in India that are creating concern, Lisa felt relations between the two countries are beyond the internal politics of both the countries:
Source- La Trobe Asia