Relations between India and Australia have reached a new level, not just deals
Published Date – Sat 5/27/23 12:30pm
Relations between India and Australia have reached a new level, not just deals
Hyderabad: Rivals on the cricket field, but natural partners in geopolitics. With shared democratic values, a free and open society and a love of cricket, India and Australia are closer than ever. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit showed an unusually friendly attitude, reflecting the deepening of bilateral ties. In recent years, bilateral relations between the two countries have continued to develop. Modi and Australian President Albanese have met six times on different occasions in the past year. In addition to the development of bilateral relations, India and Australia are members of the quadrilateral forum, along with Japan and the United States. For the first time since India’s independence, Delhi and Canberra now have shared interests in Asia and its seas. The relationship has now reached a new level, not just a transaction. It is rooted in deep mutual trust and respect. Modi and Albanese discussed ways to advance cooperation in key areas such as key minerals and renewable energy, and the two countries signed an immigration and mobility agreement to create opportunities for students and businessmen. The agreement comes just two months after the Australia-India Education Qualifications Recognition Mechanism was finalized during Albanese’s visit to India. The Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) is also expected to be finalized by the end of the year, building on the interim agreement that came into force last December.
The announcement of the Australia-India Educational Qualification Scheme during Albanese’s visit to Delhi last March reflects the growing emphasis on bilateral relations in the education sector between the two countries. The arrangement aims to ensure that degrees earned by Indian students studying in Australia are properly recognized when they return home, and is expected to facilitate the recognition of students’ Indian qualifications by Australian authorities. Along with the US, Canada and the UK, Australia is one of the top destinations for Indian students to pursue higher education. The fast-growing Indian diaspora now makes up more than 3% of Australia’s population and will soon reach the million mark. With the signing of bilateral immigration and mobility agreements and the opening of new consulates in Brisbane and Bangalore, the “living bridge” between the two societies may become stronger. While the talks focused on cooperation in a wide range of areas including education, green hydrogen, defense and security, trade and investment, and critical minerals, Modi raised India’s concerns over attacks on temples and the activities of Khalistan supporters in Australia. The two governments decided to exchange information and coordinate with each other to take action against separatists who have been vandalizing temples with anti-India graffiti. Such activities by fringe groups should not be allowed to undermine bilateral partnerships.
