Senator Chris Evans visited the Observer Research Foundation, New Delhi on July 22 and spoke on the close cultural ties that have been forged between the two countries, the safety of Indian students in Australia and migration prospects in the future.
Australia and India have the same fundamental approach to democracy, the rule of law and other critical supports of social stability, and these foundations have launched the economic expansion both nations have enjoyed in recent years India more so than Australia, of course.
Indeed, our wide-ranging people-to-people and trade
links are expanding across the many facets of a mature relationship between two nations with common economic, security, trade, democratic and other interests. India is currently Australia's eleventh largest inbound tourism market with 116 000 arrivals in 2008, up a remarkable 22 per cent from the previous year. We shouldn't forget our mutual passion for cricket. As a boy, I idolised Bishan Bedi although my bowling was not of the same standard. My 13-year-old wicketkeeper son is a Dhoni fan but he will never replace his love of Adam Gilchrist.
Since the government led by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd took office in Australia in December 2007, there has been much mutual and cordial interaction between our two national governments. The agreement last year to take our relationship to the level of a strategic partnership, reflected our common
view of the importance of our relationship and its great potential for strengthening in the future.
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