The Australia-India Relationship Puzzle?

!  Convergence of Values !  Convergence of Interests

Inadequate understanding, Negligible conversation

"The great majority are Hindus and what they believe in is more archaic.” - Sir Owen Dixon: A Biography

“Occidentals have difficulty in comprehending India” - Sir Robert Menzies - Afternoon Delight: Some Memories of Men and Events

1947-1990: Years of Mutual Neglect

1990-2010: The Lost Decades

India’s nuclear test in 1998

Attack on Indian students in Australia

Cricket and Curry may not be enough

Sense of familiarity may mask an understanding which is superficial and illusory

The relationship blossoms – 2010 •  Bilateral relationship has been strengthened through the Australia – India

Strategic Partnership

•  Annual high-level exchanges take place between Australian and Indian foreign and trade ministers.

•  Two-way trade has grown in value from USD 3.3 billion in 2000 to over USD 17.4 billion in 2012.

•  Australia is now the 2nd biggest overseas education destination for Indian students.

While Australia is short on patience,  

India lacks the infrastructure and capacity

The Bridge

Building a Capacity to Understand India.���Fostering Dialogue, Research and Partnerships

o  Undergraduate teaching: Contemporary India o  Postgraduate teaching: India and the world o  MOOC Subject: Contemporary India o  Books o  Task force reports

Publications: Books

Publications

Publications: Fearless Nadia

Publications: Task Force Reports

Forthcoming Task Force Report on Mining