Trade and security ties between India and Australia are gathering pace: Speaker Milton Dick
The Hindu
Australia-India ties are strong, with security, trade, and people-to-people dimensions. Last year, the two countries signed an Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement. Australia is resetting its relationship with China, but respects India's decisions. Education is a key area for further strengthening ties, with a strong pipeline of Indian students coming to Australia.
Security and trade cooperation between India and Australia are gathering pace, and relations between the two “rich and vibrant democracies” have never been stronger, said Milton Dick, Speaker of Australia’s House of Representatives.
In an interview with The Hindu, Mr. Dick said Australia is currently resetting its relationship with China, but its ties with India are “unique” with trade, security, and people-to-people dimensions.
“Security cooperation is gathering pace and I believe it’s a good thing for both countries. The agreements, the operations and those regular defence exercises and training opportunities will really help deepen our connections. I understand there were four reciprocal maritime patrol aircraft deployments which occurred across Australia and India in 2022 and 2023.”
The Labor Party MP, who is currently leading a Parliamentary delegation to India, said trade is one of the strong pillars of India-Australia ties. “India ranks sixth in Australia’s top two-way goods and services trading partner. And services and trade with India was around $46.5 billion in 2022. India is our fourth largest exports market and our 10th largest import source. So the trade benefits for both countries are there to see.” Last year, India and Australia signed the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement, aimed at transforming economic ties between the two countries.
Regarding Australia’s ties with China, which had taken a hit recently before the Labor government of Anthony Albanese and Beijing took measures to improve ties, Mr. Dick said, “Discussions are occurring. We have seen constructive discussions occur over the last 12 months or so. We have seen our trade minister engage with a relevant counterpart. That relationship will continue on its own way.”
Asked about the criticisms India faces about a democratic slide at home, Mr. Dick said, “It wouldn’t be my place to give comment as Speaker from another Parliament. What I can say is we have been very warmly welcomed here. I understand the pride and joy of democracy here in India. And we are very much looking forward to (the coming) discussions, learning about the rich, vibrant democracy here in India.”
India, along with Australia, the U.S. and Japan, is part of the Quad, which is gaining prominence in the Indo-Pacific region where China is rising fast. On the role of Quad and the India-Australian cooperation in the region, Mr. Dick said Australia and India are cooperating in several regional and multilateral forums that provide economic and strategic dialogue for the region. “It’s not just the Quad, but be it the G-20, the East Asia Summit, the ASEAN regional forum, the Indian Ocean Rim Association. Working in these organisations makes sure that the countries cooperate strategically but also to better understand each country’s operations and also how we can better support each other.”
With a new government in place in Delhi, Singapore hopes to schedule the Ministerial Roundtable with India shortly, says Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan. In an exclusive interview, he speaks about the impact of the elections on ties, the “missed opportunity” of RCEP and the new buzz around Andhra Pradesh’s capital Amaravati.