Lisa Singh, CEO of the Australia-India Institute, a number one analysis and coverage assume tank devoted to supporting and understanding bilateral cooperation, is a former Australian Senator and was the primary lady of South Asian origin to be elected to the Australian Parliament. She is in India to satisfy with a variety of stakeholders within the improvement of the Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific area, and to deepen the footprint of the analysis and policy-focused scholarship provided by the Synthetic Intelligence Institute. She spoke to Narayan Lakshman about among the key areas that Canberra and New Delhi must deal with as they goal to take bilateral ties to an ever greater degree.
The sixth India-Australia Maritime Safety Dialogue was held not too long ago, the place points corresponding to maritime consciousness, humanitarian help, catastrophe reduction, regional engagements and sustainable use of maritime sources have been mentioned. Might you elaborate on the arc of long-term cooperation between India and Australia on this space? What extra may the 2 international locations do collectively and what influence ought to they goal to realize?
The problems raised in the course of the dialogue have been of nice significance not solely to the Indian Ocean, but additionally to the Pacific Ocean. As a rustic located between two oceans (the Indian and the Pacific), Australia should play an vital function in main on varied points corresponding to maritime area consciousness (MDA), humanitarian help, local weather change and catastrophe reduction in each areas.
Given Australia’s distinctive place between these two oceans, how vital is India as a companion in addressing these regional points?
India is an apparent and dependable companion on this regard. Our relationship has developed considerably from the place it was in the course of the Chilly Battle period, after we have been on reverse sides of the geopolitical spectrum. Now, we have now a Complete Strategic Partnership (CSP), which strengthens our bilateral relationship. The CSP brings collectively vital points like ministerial-level discussions; our two-plus-two dialogue between international ministers and defence ministers is a transparent instance of this.
How do you assess the progress made in broader financial cooperation throughout the framework of the Complete Strategic Partnership (CSP)?
The financial relationship between India and Australia just isn’t the place it might be, regardless of some progress beneath the Financial and Commerce Cooperation Settlement (ECTA). Whereas it’s optimistic that tariffs have been eliminated and we’re buying and selling extra agricultural merchandise, I believe we might be doing significantly better. A serious downside is the lack of awareness amongst Australian companies about tips on how to interact with India. We name this “Indian literacy” and it’s one thing we have to pay extra consideration to if we’re to unlock the total potential of our financial relationship.
The 2-plus-two ministerial dialogue outlines key areas of cooperation between India and Australia. However what extra will be finished to strengthen the connection, particularly in help of the broader Indo-Pacific area?
The 2-plus-two dialogue is crucial to strengthen our bilateral ties. Nevertheless, as a assume tank, we argue that India and Australia must transcend merely supporting one another and deal with supporting the Indo-Pacific area. Each nations need a peaceable, rules-based Indo-Pacific area, and we must always improve our multilateral engagement in organisations such because the Indian Ocean Fee (IOC) and the Indian Ocean Rim Affiliation (AIOR). India is already taking part in a task in these boards, and Australia ought to think about changing into an observer nation on the IOC.
Might you clarify India’s function within the Pacific area and the way it may complement Australia’s engagement?
India just isn’t a part of the Pacific Islands Discussion board (PIF), an vital platform for Australia to have interaction with Pacific island nations. It will be useful to discover methods through which India may take part in these conversations. Each India and Australia are already conducting many defence workout routines, that are important. Nevertheless, there’s scope for additional collaboration on non-traditional safety points, corresponding to local weather safety and unlawful fishing, which have an effect on the livelihoods of small island states within the area.
The Malabar train is a major instance of the rising defence cooperation between India and Australia. How has this relationship developed?
Certainly, we have now come a great distance since Australia was not initially invited to take part within the Malabar train. Final 12 months, Australia hosted the Malabar train in Sydney Harbour, which was a testomony to how our defence cooperation has deepened. Our relationship continues to evolve in response to the altering challenges of the area, which Exterior Affairs Minister Jaishankar has described as an important area of our time.
You talked about that the connection between India and Australia should transcend defence cooperation. Might you elaborate on different areas of collaboration, corresponding to local weather safety?
Whereas defence is essential, we have to strategy these points from different views, corresponding to local weather safety. For instance, local weather change and unlawful fishing are urgent issues that have an effect on the financial livelihoods of small island states. These are areas the place each India and Australia can collaborate, as these challenges transcend conventional defence issues. This strategy is especially pertinent given our shared historical past of humanitarian cooperation, corresponding to after the 2004 tsunami.
Lately, Australia and India held a dialogue on island states in Kolkata. What have been among the key outcomes of that dialogue?
The Kolkata Dialogue was a ground-breaking dialogue between Australia and India, specializing in help for island states. Points corresponding to financial coercion and disinformation campaigns have been addressed, significantly in smaller island states. Nevertheless, one of many key takeaways was that there have been no island leaders current on the dialogue, one thing we plan to handle on the subsequent version of the dialogue, scheduled for subsequent 12 months in Fiji. Our goal is to deliver collectively leaders from the Indian and Pacific Ocean islands to listen to straight from them what they want from trusted companions corresponding to India and Australia.
You talked about that Australian corporations have been gradual to determine ties with India. How do you assume it will change and what must be finished?
There may be actually room for enchancment. Australian corporations have historically centered on the US and European markets and extra not too long ago China. Nevertheless, they should recognise that India is a key financial participant and the pandemic has proven us the significance of diversifying our provide chains. Sectors corresponding to vital minerals and renewable vitality current large alternatives for each international locations, however we’d like extra consciousness and schooling in order that corporations on either side can interact extra successfully.
What function can collaboration in schooling and analysis play in strengthening ties between India and Australia?
Collaboration in schooling and analysis are key pillars of the India-Australia relationship. We’re already engaged on a number of initiatives, such because the Ladies in STEM Fellowship, which inspires exchanges between researchers from each international locations. As well as, we’re exploring vocational coaching alternatives in India, the place Australian suppliers will help prepare their Indian counterparts on the bottom. Such exchanges can considerably deepen our ties and tackle shared challenges within the space of schooling and abilities.
Lastly, what are your plans for future initiatives on this area?
We’re presently engaged on a number of thrilling tasks. For instance, we might be internet hosting a roundtable on local weather safety in Chennai and we’re additionally launching new initiatives as a part of the Victoria-India technique. As well as, the College of Melbourne is opening a brand new centre in Connaught Place, Delhi, which is the primary for an Australian college in India. These initiatives will assist deepen collaboration between our international locations in areas corresponding to local weather safety, schooling and management.
