New Delhi, Nov 28 (NationPress) Australia's High Commissioner to India, Philip Green, has emphasized that both India and Australia are essential allies in creating a more stable, peaceful, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. He reaffirmed that both nations are dedicated to a common vision of ensuring the Indian Ocean and the Indo-Pacific are stable, prosperous, and free.

In an extensive interview with IANS, Green expressed that the relationship between India and Australia has never been stronger, commending Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership for propelling the partnership forward. He elaborated on the collaborative efforts in various sectors, including minerals.

Excerpts:

IANS: How has the relationship between India and Australia evolved recently?

Ambassador Green: Our bilateral relations have reached unprecedented heights. During the Modi administration, we have witnessed dramatic advancements. I believe there are three core factors driving our relationship. First, we share a strategic alignment. Australia and India have always enjoyed a friendly relationship, but it has evolved into a collaborative effort to realize a vision for a stable, prosperous, and free Indo-Pacific. Second, there is significant economic complementarity; India’s rapidly growing economy is particularly relevant to Australia, as we provide essential resources for India’s next economic phase, including energy, minerals, metals, and skills training. We do not compete with India in many areas. The third driver is our human bridge; with over a million people of Indian descent residing in Australia, this adds a vital personal aspect to our collaboration.

IANS: What areas of collaboration are prioritized for both countries in the coming years?

Ambassador Green: We are focusing on several key initiatives. Last year, leaders tasked us with updating our longstanding defense and security agreement, which we are currently in the process of revising. Additionally, we are developing a new maritime security roadmap to enhance our cooperation in this critical area. Economically, we are implementing an Australia-India economic roadmap to identify significant opportunities in our sectors, and our trade ministers are collaborating closely on the second phase of our free trade agreement known as CECA. We also aim to advance partnerships in education, technology, and critical minerals.

IANS: How is Australia assisting India in enhancing its role in the Indo-Pacific?

Ambassador Green: Australia and India are indeed close allies in the Indo-Pacific. We share a mutual vision for a stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific. This translates into support for each other’s development efforts in our region, whether in the Pacific Islands, where Australia is active, or in maritime domain awareness, where our navies and customs forces collaborate. We are also working together to strengthen regional institutions such as ASEAN and IORA, the Indian Ocean Regional Organisation.

IANS: Are there plans to enhance cooperation in technology, minerals, and energy?

Ambassador Green: Absolutely. In terms of energy, we have established a robust renewable energy partnership. A critical component is our effort to create a skills academy for the solar workforce that India requires. We are responding to Prime Minister Modi's goal of achieving 10 million solar rooftops. Australia, being a leader in solar rooftop deployment, is committed to training over 2,000 individuals, primarily young women, in Gandhinagar, to meet this demand. Regarding technology, we aim to merge Australia’s innovation with India’s global capabilities through collaborations with firms like Infosys. In the minerals sector, we are actively engaged with our critical minerals office and India’s Ministry of Mines to establish a direct supply chain for essential minerals like lithium and cobalt, crucial for battery and electric vehicle production.

IANS: Are there new scholarship opportunities or academic collaborations?

Ambassador Green: Indeed, numerous Australian universities offer scholarships to Indian students. Recently, the Australian government has introduced approximately 15 scholarships for PhD students, particularly in STEM fields, to bolster our partnership in science and technology.

IANS: What measures is Australia taking to ensure the safety of Indian students?

Ambassador Green: We are committed to this cause. Australia ranks among the safest countries globally, and we take pride in that. Our goal is for all visitors, including Indians, to feel secure and welcomed. While there have been isolated protests against immigration, our government firmly supports sustainable migration and the multicultural identity of Australia.

IANS: How has Prime Minister Modi changed India’s global standing?

Ambassador Green: India has emerged as a significant global power, and Prime Minister Modi has played a pivotal role in this transformation. My arrival coincided with the G20 Summit, which highlighted India’s status as a global player, successfully bringing together world leaders to address complex geopolitical issues.

IANS: Has India, under Modi’s leadership, established itself as a global power?

Ambassador Green: Definitely. As the world's most populous nation and the fastest-growing large economy, India is tackling some of the globe's most pressing issues and making substantial progress. For Australia, India is an indispensable partner in the Indo-Pacific.

IANS: In a region undergoing strategic and economic changes, how does Australia view its partnership with India evolving within the Quad?

Ambassador Green: Australia positions itself as a reliable partner aiming to foster peace, prosperity, and stability. We prioritize diplomacy and dialogue to address regional challenges. Our development assistance helps smaller economies flourish, and we collaborate with India in multilateral forums to amplify the voices of smaller nations.

IANS: What is Australia’s vision for ensuring stability in the Indo-Pacific?

Ambassador Green: We recognize the reality of intense superpower competition and seek to protect our security while advocating for the interests of smaller nations. By leveraging regional institutions, we strive to maintain a robust rules-based framework that upholds freedom of navigation and fair trade, ensuring the interests of all nations are respected.

IANS: How is Australia collaborating with India to address emerging global security challenges like cybersecurity and maritime security?

Ambassador Green: We have established a cyber dialogue to share strategies and responses to cyber threats. Our collaboration extends to counter-terrorism, counter-trafficking, and narcotics, where we maintain daily cooperation between our agencies.

IANS: How can both nations work together on renewable energy technologies, such as green hydrogen and solar power?

Ambassador Green: We are focused on supporting India in achieving Prime Minister Modi's solar rooftop goal. Australia possesses extensive expertise in renewable energy technologies, having pioneered significant advancements in solar energy. We aim to transfer this knowledge to India to facilitate its renewable energy ambitions.