Sonipat:  Ms. Harinder Sidhu, Australian High Commissioner to India, today (14 October 2016) inaugurated the Centre for India-Australia Studies at the O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU). The High Commissioner visited the university to deliver a distinguished public lecture on ‘The Importance of India-Australia Relations,’ a forum organised by the Centre for India-Australia Studies (CIAS) at the university campus in Sonipat, Haryana.

The CIAS will work to enhance the understanding of the common values and vibrant diversities of India and Australia and promote growth of the bilateral relationship. The CIAS will aim to create a multi-disciplinary discourse to help promote greater awareness in policy, governance and academia between the two countries.

Commenting on the occasion, Harinder Sidhu, Australian High Commissioner to India said, “I am delighted to be here for the establishment of the Centre for India-Australia Studies. It is a landmark initiative and an artefact of the rapidly deepening Australia India relationship.”

Highlighting the importance of the bilateral relationship between India and Australia, the High Commissioner observed, “India now sits at the top tier of countries of importance to Australia. In 2016, the India-Australia relationship is stronger, more diverse, and more active than ever before. Our bilateral relationship has grown dramatically and has evolved to a strategic partnership since 2009.”

The High Commissioner observed that both countries are committed to a non-proliferating world and share a common goal to ensure the stability and security of our region. Further, our military, economic and people-to-people ties have been deeply strengthened over time.

In her closing remarks,  Ms. Sidhu, noted that there is a tremendous value-add in India in innovation, technology and services and it is in these areas that Australia’s and India’s future economic ventures will develop. Among these sectors, education, skilling and training will all lie at the forefront.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof. (Dr.) C Raj Kumar, Founding Vice-Chancellor, JGU, said, “At a fundamental level, Australia and India are both liberal democracies which share a commitment to the rule of law, fundamental human rights and the peaceful resolution of disputes. As India intends to Look and Act East, and Australia focuses on deepening ties in the Asia Region, the India-Australia relationship will assume increasing importance over time. The CIAS has indeed been established at an opportune moment in the history of the bilateral relationship.”

Prof. C. Raj Kumar, further observed, “As a research-intensive institution, our larger objective is to continuously engage in activities that promote research, knowledge creation and capacity building. The setting up of CIAS is a realisation of that objective and seeks to promote knowledge creation and scholarly research in all its manifestations.”