Business, academic and government leaders are meeting in New Delhi for a dialogue that will set the pace for deepening ties with India on emerging technology and the supply of critical minerals.
Delegates are saying that Australia’s relationship with India is critical for the future and a round of informal high-level talks could be a “game changer”.
Co-chaired by tech billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes and Australia India Institute CEO Lisa Singh, Australian thinkers are meeting with their Indian counterparts at the Australia-India Leadership Dialogue amid stiff competition for global tech talent and the need to secure supply chains for critical minerals and energy.
Ms Singh said the dialogue was critical because ideas matter as much as transactions and negotiations.
“In other words, the relationship is far too important to be left to the two governments alone,” she said, explaining that emerging tech was the next step for the bilateral relationship.
“Emerging technology is seen as a key driver for Australia and India to deepen ties, particularly as Australia wants to find alternative markets to China and diversify supply chains for its critical minerals.”
Ms Singh states that the 2022 Leadership Dialogue can act as a game changer for the future Australia-India footprint.
Fortescue Metals CEO Andrew Forrest, head of the Business Council of Australia Jennifer Westacott, and the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sydney Mark Scott are among the delegates in New Delhi.
Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong will also deliver a video address as part of the so-called Track 1.5 Dialogue.
Mr Cannon-Brookes, co-CEO and co-founder of tech firm Atlassian, said the relationship between India and Australia was significant for tech talent.
“India’s tech talent is world-class, and we want to hire the smartest technical minds,” he said.
Since opening locally in 2018, India has become home to the company’s fastest-growing R&D site globally.
“Our engineers are working on hard problems, and significant products for our overall strategy – it’s a true R&D hub for us,” he said.
Closed sessions will cover new international threats, opportunities for clean technology, tech talent and skills, and digital service delivery for everyday life.
With AAP