Indo-Aus relations at its "best phase": Harinder Sidhu

Australian High Commissioner to India Harinder Sidhu today said the relationship between the two countries is currently at its "best phase".
The High Commissioner was speaking on the sidelines of the Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2017, where the Australian government's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade-supported designer Gaurav Jai Gupta presented a special collection.
"The Australia-India relationship is stronger than it has been for a very long time and I can only see that improving and getting stronger with time. We are in the same region. If you go to Perth, the first landmass to its west is India.
"We are starting to recognise each other. We have started seeing Australian filmmakers making movies on India and Australian students coming to India to study. The relationship is becoming deeper and deeper," Sidhu told reporters.

The clothing line was specially crafted from a combination of merino wool with various Indian textiles such as cotton and silk.
Sidhu said that such collaborations will bring the people of the two nations closer.

"When we talk about relationship between two countries, we talk about political or diplomatic and economic relationships, and these things matter a lot. But what also matters is the cultural connection and how we grow to understand each other better.
"When we work together in collaboration, even if it is something as simple as using merino wool in Indian designs, it makes us appreciate little bit more about each other's countries," she said.

Praising the Indian designer, who is known for creating his own weaves, Sidhu said that it was "an absolute pleasure to partner with Gaurav and I am delighted to see what he has done with merino wool. We really enjoyed working with Gaurav".
The designer visited Australia last year in November to discuss the collaboration and Sidhu said it was "a perfect partnership".