Eminent Person’s Oration session on “China Factor in the AustraliaIndia Relationship” in Brisbane

Brisbane, Feb 12 (MCCQ Newsdesk) by Amrita Deshpande

The Institute for Australia India Engagement hosted an Eminent Person’s Oration session on “China Factor in the Australia-India Relationship” in Brisbane. Prof. Srikanth Kondapalli, the Dean of School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University delivered the lecture.

Dr. Ashutosh Misra President of the IAIE introducing Dr. Kondapalli, said, “Prof. Kondapalli, is a former JNU/ SIS batchmate, Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses colleague with who I have worked closely over the years, and have admired his deep

China and international security expertise.” Dr. Mishra Invited Prof. Kondapalli to Brisbane especially for this lecture, he further said. “Dr. Kondapalli is one of the few Mandarin speaking scholars in India, he delivered a very insightful and enriching dialogue for our audience. He had accompanied the Foreign Minister Dr S. Jaishankar to Perth for a dialogue, and very kindly agreed to come and deliver the oration at the Institute”.

In his lecture, Dr. Kondpalli highlighted insights about the Australia-China relationship and touched up the impact and comparison with Australia-India Relationship. He says, “China’s ambitions of “occupying the centre stage” by 2049 is creating ripples across the board.”

He also highlighted that the Australian Investments in China have increased, in 2021 to $9.1 billion, where as China’s investments increased to $46 billion in 2021 with the preferred sectors being the mining industries, service industries and the infrastructures. But China restricts travel to Australia through its Approved Destination status calling it weaponisation of the tourism sector.

“With China’s “Go Out Policy in 2002 its footprint abroad increased-providing economic opportunities but security concerns to Australia and India on weaponisation of trade, FDI, and Tourism.”

He further said in comparison with India that the shared values of constitutional democracy, free press, civil society participation makes the India- Australia relationship respectful, robust, and long term. Explaining the Australia-India Trade relationship he says it was a mutual appreciation in 1990, a rollercoaster in 2000 onwards, and in 2009 onwards it has been an upswing. Australia has a huge impact on its trade and economic performance because of the bilateral trade between China as well as that with India. The China-India disputes also affect Australia. Moreover, China is a largest trading partner for both Australia and India. Hence the triangular relationship will be a major concern in 2024 for the trade relationships between the three countries.

Prof. Kondapalli’s research and insights of China’s behaviour currently reassured the audience that there is hope for the relationships to improve. Prof. Kondapalli was also asked if he would travel to China currently to which he replied saying that he has done three trips already to China starting from January this year.

Community leaders present at the orator forum were extremely happy to learn China’s trade policies and Australia-China relationship from Prof. Kondapalli. Many were not aware of the history as well as the current trends. More such forums need to be organised and definitely must be made available for the community to join.