(Acknowledgments omitted)
Just over a year ago, I was fortunate to participate in the first Australia India Leadership Dialogue. At the time I observed that the establishment of the Dialogue was both timely and welcome. The government to government relationship between our two nations is strong, and continues to grow, reflecting our joint economic interests and shared strategic perspectives. It is to our mutual interest to ensure this is accompanied by a strengthening of the ties between people; leaders in government, business and civil society.
So it is indeed a pleasure to be here in Melbourne for this second Annual Dialogue. I again congratulate our co-chairs and partners for their foresight in establishing this forum, and for their support.
History -- Labor and India
I want to start with some brief observations about the history of our relationship.
The post-colonial relationship established by the Chifley Labor Government laid the groundwork for the robust relations which Australia enjoys with India today.
As India emerged as an independent nation, then External Affairs Minister Dr H.V. Evatt foreshadowed the influence of young South Asian countries on geopolitics:
The emergence of India, Pakistan and Ceylon as nations will have anenormous effect for good, not only upon South East Asia but also [upon] China and Japan, to which they bring special wisdom, special experience and special resources.
This sentiment remains true to this day, as India serves as a ballast within the Indo-Pacific region, and projects a positive model for economic development and democracy further afield.
Dr Evatt developed a close relationship with Indias first Prime Minister, and champion of Indias independence movement, Jawaharlal Nehru in the early years of our post-colonial diplomatic relations. Their cooperation extended beyond the bilateral relationship, with Australia and India engaging on the question of Indonesian independence.
In more recent years, our bilateral relations were significantly advanced under the previous Labor Government.
In 2009, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh agreed to upgrade bilateral relations to the level of strategic partnership.
In 2011, Prime Minister Gillard further upgraded the relations by initiating a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement between Australia and India which seeks to broaden our economic relations, diversify our trading relations and encourage investment.
The former Labor Government also made major funding commitments to resource the upgraded relationship, including an increase in Australian diplomatic resources devoted to India, with new DFAT posts in Mumbai and Chennai and new Austrade offices across India.
The current Liberal Government honoured those commitments, and Foreign Minister Bishop has opened both of the new Consulates in Mumbai and Chennai.
Current relations and challenges
In the 18^th century, the East India Company connected young Australian colonies to Asian trade routes. The 20^th century saw burgeoning cooperation between an increasingly outward-looking Australia and a newly independent India. Today, we cooperate on issues as diverse as defence, energy, nuclear non-proliferation, food and water security, dry-land agriculture, and scientific research.
One challenge for Australian leaders, when we look to India, is grasping the quantitative scale of Indias challenges and the sheer size of the nation and the population governed by our counterparts.
India is one of the worlds fastest growing major economies, the most populous democracy, and home to over a billion people. The scale of India is accompanied by commensurate challenges. For instance, while millions have been lifted out of poverty, approximately 22 per cent of Indias population still lives below the national poverty line.
Despite our differences of scale and geography, we have vital shared interests and immense opportunity to collaborate on shared challenges.
Prime Minister Modi captured this beautifully when he addressed our Parliament:
there was a time when, for many of us, Australia was a distant land on the southern edge of the world. Today . we see Australia as a vital partner in India's quest for progress and prosperity. There are few countries in this world where we see so much synergy as we do in AustraliaIndia, a nation of more than a billion seeking development; Australia, a developed country of a few million people and vast resources.
That is why the Australia India Leadership Dialogue matters ours is a vital relationship, for each of our countries and for our region.
So I wish you well in your discussions today and beyond.
Thank you.