Australia and India Work Together for a Free Indo-Pacific, Says High Commissioner Philip Green
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], September 25: The Australian High Commissioner to India, Philip Green, emphasized the strategic alignment between India and Australia as Quad partners aiming to create an open and free Indo-Pacific region. In an interview, Green highlighted the dynamic nature of the Indo-Pacific and the shared goal of ensuring free trade and sovereignty for the states in the region.
Strategic Partnership
Green stated, “Australia and India are Quad partners, who are strategically aligned. We want Indo-Pacific open and free. There are great dynamics in our regions but some things hold us back. We want the region where states have free trade and what they want in their sovereignty in their own way, which is free from state, can make choices that suit the peoples of each of their countries.”
Maritime Security and Health Initiatives
The Quad countries have agreed to work on maritime domain security and the removal of cervical cancer through vaccines. Green mentioned, “We agreed on new work in maritime domain security; we all understand what is happening in our maritime domain, and secondly, we work harder and try to remove cervical cancer via vaccines. Australian PM Anthony Albasene visited India and met Prime Minister Modi and we talked about good things that include many things.”
Bilateral Relationship
Discussing the bilateral relationship between India and Australia, Green identified three key drivers: strong economies, mutual strategic interests, and the significant Indian-origin population in Australia. He said, “There are three underlined drivers between India and Australia. We know that Australia and India are strategic partners and friends working together for the betterment of Indo-Pacific relations. Australia and India have strong economies. Australia produces many things that India needs for its next phase of economic growth. And the third thing driving us is that we called it ‘Human breach.’ There are many Indian-origin people who live in Australia and contribute to the many 4 per cent Indian population in Australia and they are contributing towards our national life as well and it will help the bilateral relationship between India and Australia.”
Trade and Economic Cooperation
Green noted the rise in trade between the two countries and the ongoing efforts to enhance the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA). He said, “Between India and Australia, trade from both sides using agreements frequently goes well. On the Indian side, in the first five months of this year, Indian exports of agriculture goods towards Australia and India’s exports of iron and steel are up by a quarter, and India’s exports towards Australia have gone up to 20 per cent. We are working well but we have to think about how it will grow much in the future by creating free trade between India and Australia through CECA.”
He added, “We think that we can build even better opportunities for businesses, creating more jobs and cheaper commodities to consume in India and Australia. We are keen to resolve the second phase of the free trade agreement between India and Australia; we called it CECA.”
Doubts Revealed
High Commissioner -: A High Commissioner is like an ambassador, a person who represents their country in another country. Philip Green is the High Commissioner of Australia to India.
Quad partners -: Quad is a group of four countries: India, Australia, Japan, and the United States. They work together on important issues like security and trade.
Indo-Pacific -: The Indo-Pacific is a large region that includes the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. Many countries, including India and Australia, are part of this region.
maritime security -: Maritime security means keeping the seas and oceans safe from dangers like pirates or illegal activities. It is important for trade and travel.
bilateral relationship -: A bilateral relationship is a relationship between two countries. In this case, it is the relationship between India and Australia.
economic cooperation -: Economic cooperation means working together to improve trade and business between countries. India and Australia are doing this to help their economies grow.
Indian-origin population -: Indian-origin population refers to people who are originally from India but now live in another country, like Australia. They help build strong connections between the two countries.
Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) -: CECA is an agreement between two countries to make trade easier and better. India and Australia are working on this agreement to improve their trade relationship.