Melbourne, July 29 (Indian Abroad Newsdesk)
In a significant move aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and promoting regional stability, the special visitor initiative launched by the Australia India Institute (AII) has enhanced closer ties and discussions on multilateral prospects within the Indo-Pacific region. This program brought together Indian experts and their Australian counterparts, facilitating interactions with prominent think tanks, academic institutions, and policy professionals in Canberra, Sydney, and Perth. The initiative received backing from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the High Commission of India in Canberra, the Centre for Australia-India Relations, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney, Australian Border Force, Consul General Sydney, and Defence Australia.
According to the Australia India Institute’s Facebook post, the program, which saw Indian experts and their Australian counterparts, comprised engagements with key think tanks, academia, and policy professionals across Canberra, Sydney, and Perth. The program was supported by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the High Commission of India in Canberra, the Centre for Australia-India Relations, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney, Australian Border Force, Consul General Sydney, and Defence Australia, the Australia India Institute’s Facebook post said.
The important events that were organized comprised two roundtables, “Building Resilient and Secure Economies in the Indo-Pacific: A Roundtable Discussion” and the “Indian Ocean Maritime Defence Roundtable.” These discussions emphasized regional security, economic resilience, and bilateral cooperation in the Indian Ocean. The UNSW Institute for Global Development, Centre for Australia-India Relations, and ANU National Security College co-hosted these roundtables, said the Australia India Institute’s Facebook post.
According to the AII Facebook post, throughout the program, delegates participated in the “Indian Ocean Defence and Security Conference” in Perth. Director of Security and Geopolitics of the Australia India Institute Darshana M Baruah was a panelist at the conference. The Director addressed insecurity in the Indo-Pacific and future opportunities. This conference, which was hosted by AMDA Foundation Limited, focused on the strategic importance of the Indian Ocean and the Quad’s role in regional defense.
The AII facebook post further said that in Canberra, the “Indian Ocean Maritime Defence” roundtable, which was co-hosted with the ANU National Security College, was the occasion for the experts to present their research on Australia-India cooperation in the Indian Ocean. They talked about how maritime security cooperation can enhance stability, and the role of institutions in furthering these efforts.
