CHATS OVER CHAI: Australia India and the World, Australia India Institute (AII), Melbourne.
AII, CEO Lisa Singh was joined by stalwarts of foreign policy and the Australia-India relationship, Ambassador Anil Wadhwa, Mr Peter Varghese AO, and Dr Pradeep Taneja at a panel event at the University of Melbourne on September 4, 2024, exploring the burgeoning partnership between the two nations amidst the evolving strategic landscape of the Indo-Pacific.
They delved into how both nations navigate the contested Indo-Pacific region, balancing Beijing-Washington tensions while fostering a trusted partnership grounded in shared democratic values. They also discussed the Pacific and regional implications, strategic collaborations, and the shifting political landscapes in India and Bangladesh.
Some points that emerged were:
Anil Wadhwa (Former Indian diplomat & AII Distinguished Fellow) : The rise of China/geo-politics has driven the relationship, both countries should discover each other economically…
Peter Varghese (Former Australian diplomat & public servant) : The commonality between India & Australia is they do not want China’s hegemony… & preservation of liberal democracy in India will give depth to strategic partnership…
Pradeep Taneja (Sr. Lecturer in Asian Studies, Social and Pol. Sciences at the Univ. of Melb & academic fellow at the AII) : Australia-India relations are doing well because of concerns over China, and what happens next in Bangladesh after the fall of Shiekh Hasina govt also depends on the future role of Army…
Listen to the panel discussion (audio only) on “Australia, India, and the World”, hosted by the AII in partnership with the University of Melbourne, Faculty of Arts:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2118911/15699752
Source & courtesy – Australia India Institute, Melbourne.
