India, Australia committed to non-proliferating world, says envoy

Australian High Commissioner to India, Harinder Sidhu, has said that both countries are committed to a non-proliferating world and share a common goal to ensure stability and security of the region.

She made the remarks at the inauguration of the Centre for India Australia Studies (CIAS) at the O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU).

"India and Australia are both committed to a non-proliferating world and share a common goal to ensure the stability and security of our region. Our military, economic and people-to-people ties have been deeply strengthened over time," she said adding, "India now sits at the top tier of countries of importance to Australia. Our bilateral relationship has grown dramatically and has evolved to a strategic partnership since 2009."

She concluded that there is tremendous value-add in India in innovation, technology and services, adding it is in these areas that Australia's and India's future economic ventures will develop. Among these sectors, education, skilling and training will all lie at the forefront, she said.

The CIAS will work towards enhancing the understanding of the common values and vibrant diversities of India and Australia and promote growth of the bilateral relationship. It will aim to create a multi-disciplinary discourse to help promote greater awareness in policy, governance and academia between the two countries.

On his part, Prof. (Dr.) C Raj Kumar, Founding Vice-Chancellor, JGU, said, "At a fundamental level, Australia and India are both liberal democracies which share a commitment to the rule of law, fundamental human rights and the peaceful resolution of disputes.