MELBOURNE, 3 June 2023: Mr. Shaurya Dovel, who leads the right-wing India Foundation minced no words here describing India’s relations with Russia as a ‘moral debt’ for its support in the 1971 war with Pakistan, that led to the breakaway East Pakistan emerging as Bangladesh. Mr. Shaurya is the son of India’s high profile spymaster Mr. Ajit Kumar Doval, PM Modi’s National Security Advisor. Shaurya was replying to a pointed question by South Asia Times (SAT), about Australia and India’s contending policies on the Russia-Ukraine war. Shaurya was here speaking as a guest of honour about ‘India-Growth, Prosperity & Development’, discussion organised by the India Australia Strategic Alliance (IASA), led by Sydney based Dr. Jagvinder Singh Virk.
We cannot leave Russia if the US says so. Since our independence we are non-aligned. We are not a small country. We will do what is in India’s interest, Shaurya said. His words resonate the Modi government’s policy of not condemning Russia’s ‘special operations’ (the West calls it invasion) in Ukraine and not accepting the sanctions against Russia.
At the gathering of select Indian Diaspora members, at Melbourne’s The Grand Saffaron, Shaurya agreed with South Asia Times (SAT) observation that India’s economic growth and wealth was confined to about 20 per cent of the population. He said, first we have to create wealth and it is a bit early to close the growth and wealth gap.
Mr. Shaurya’s India Foundation based think tank in New Delhi, considered close to to the ruling BJP and Prime Minister Modi, says in its website “It seeks to articulate Indian nationalistic perspective on issues. India Foundation’s vision is to be a premier think tank that can help understand the Indian civilisational influence on our contemporary society. With a team of dedicated professionals based at its office in New Delhi, the Foundation works with partners and associates both in India and overseas to further its stated objectives.”
Shaurya, in his address said, India’s growth trajectory is unstoppable and its 3.1 trillion US$ GDP , will continue to grow in the coming years. He feels PM Modi’s policies will help in this endeavour.
He called upon the Indian Diaspora to contribute to India’s economic growth by investing there, answering to a question about what role the Diaspora could play in India’s development.
Later. Mr. Shaurya visited Melbourne’s biggest temple, Durga Temple, Rockbank. He went around the temple, prayed and was honoured by the temple management. He was then taken to the new temple wing under construction and explained the expansion plans.
The temple authorities informed and discussed their community engagement programs and future plans with Mr. Shaurya during interaction on a cup of tea.
Among those who accompanied Mr. Shaurya was Mr. Jagvinder Singh Virk, Chairman, IASA. The IASA aims to promote trade relations between Australia and India.
