New Delhi witnessed a strong affirmation of strategic alignment between India and Australia amid rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific region. Australian High Commissioner to India, Philip Green, emphasized the shared vision both nations hold for a stable, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific during an exclusive interview.
Green highlighted the perfect synergy between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian PM Anthony Albanese on this critical geopolitical outlook. ‘We share the Indo-Pacific and envision it stable, free, and thriving,’ he stated, underscoring how this common ground propels bilateral ties forward alongside economic complementarity and strategic alignment.
Delving into economic ties, Green pointed out the minimal competition between the two economies. ‘We produce very different goods and services,’ he noted, which fosters collaboration rather than rivalry. A key pillar binding the nations is the ‘human bridge’ – over a million people of Indian origin now calling Australia home. These individuals contribute immensely to Australian society and strengthen business links between the two countries.
Reflecting on lessons learned, Green stressed the importance of trust and reliable partnerships. ‘That’s what India gets from Australia and vice versa,’ he said. This foundation has enabled milestones like the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), signed a few years ago, already yielding impressive trade results.
He shared striking statistics: India’s global exports grew 40% in the last five years, but exports to Australia surged 200% – five times faster. ‘This shows what open economies, complementary relations, and trust can achieve,’ Green remarked.
Looking ahead, Green identified key opportunity areas: education, agriculture, food, and tourism. He placed special emphasis on technology, noting Australia’s innovations like WiFi and Google Maps. ‘We lack India’s scale to globalize them,’ he admitted, urging Australian tech firms to partner with India ahead of the upcoming AI Impact Summit.
As Indo-Pacific dynamics evolve, the deepening India-Australia partnership stands as a beacon of stability and mutual prosperity, promising significant advancements in trade, innovation, and people-to-people ties.