India's growth will balance power equations in the region, says envoy from Australia

Australia has identified India as a key partner to maintain stability and rule-based international order in the Indo-Pacific region.

August 31, 2017 01:46 pm | Updated 01:46 pm IST - Chennai

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Barry O Farrell, special envoy to India of New South Wales. (File Photo)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Barry O Farrell, special envoy to India of New South Wales. (File Photo)

India will be one the major geopolitical players in Asia in 20 years, providing some balance to the existing power equations in the region, an Australian envoy has said.

Barry O’Farrell, special envoy to India of New South Wales, the southeastern Australian state, said India’s rise was good news for Australia as well as the Indian Ocean region.

Asked if the slowdown in the Indian economy would affect the potential for enhanced trade relationship between the two countries, Mr. O’Farrell said: “I don’t think so. We all are in danger. But if you take a long-term view, India is moving towards only one direction. The Indian elephant is getting bigger. It’s good for defence contracts, it’s good for Australia, it’s good for the Indian Ocean region.”

According to Mr. O’Farrell, a former Chief Minister of NSW, both India and Australia are committed to tapping this potential. “Given India’s strengths, its population and trajectory, there’s enormous potential for India-Australia relationship,” he told The Hindu here.

The envoy is in India to take part in the Australia Business Week in India which is taking place from August 28 to September 1 in multiple cities. A business delegation from NSW accompanied Mr. O’Farrell seeking partnerships with Indian entities. NSW has established relationships with two Indian States — Maharashtra and Gujarat — as sister States.   

India-Australia trade stands at $14.1 billion, but trade is largely skewed towards Australia. In 2016, India’s exports to the country stood at $2.9 billion, while India imported goods worth $11.15 billion from Australia. Asked if there are any policy level interventions to address the trade imbalance, Mr. O’Farrell said it’s a mutual concern. “Good relationship is a balanced relationship. But there are some structural issues. We are a big country with a small population. Our consumption is smaller.”

Besides trade, Mr. O’Farrell sees a number of sectors where India-Australia ties can proper. These include defence, education, agriculture and tourism.

At present there are around 15,000 Indian students in Australia. “The world class education system in Australia is attracting many Indians,” he said. Tourism is also a thrust area. In 2016, 259,900 Indian travellers visited Australia, according to data by Tourism Australia.

On defence, Australia has identified India as a key partner to maintain stability and rule-based international order in the Indo-Pacific region. When asked about Australia’s position on the recent India-China border tensions over Doklam in the Himalayan region, Mr. O’Farrell said he could not speak about border issues of countries other than Australia. “Australia is very strong in protecting its borders," he said.   

Adding that he’s speaking for himself, not for the Australian government, Mr. O’Farrell reiterated that the emergence of India as a major geopolitical power is good for the region. “India’s national government is positioning the country not just for here and now, but for the future.”  

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