Australia and India: Batting together on a better wicket

By Jai Patel and Sanjeev Joshipura

Despite its nascency, the burgeoning India-Australia relationship holds immense potential for growth. Political visits from heads of state are now commonplace. In 2023, the total trade between India and Australia was valued at $49 billion. The Indian community in Australia is currently experiencing the most rapid population growth among overseas-born groups in the country. Australia looks to India to fill its gaps for skilled labour and as one of the largest sources of international students in Australian universities. Bilateral relations led the way to formalized multilateral agreements between India, Australia and other nations, most notably the United States and Japan, forming the famed “Quad Agreement.” 

Joint efforts involving military exercises, alongside key commitments, focused on humanitarian initiatives, securing minerals for energy independence and technological innovation, will keep the dialogue going. But the status quo falls short of realising the tremendous potential inherent in this bilateral relationship, undergirded by the Indian diaspora in Australia. 

Few things unite communities in Australia quite like cricket. As India and Australia conclude their test series, the sport’s role in advancing connections is clear. Cricket has not only strengthened ties between the two nations but also bridged gaps between Indian-Australians and other Australians. Moreover, it has created a sense of unity among Indian-Australians, which isn’t always easy to achieve. Differences in language, religion, and regional origins can create barriers within the Indian-Australian community.

However, cricket, like food, transcends these obstacles and creates common ground. The sight of blue Indian cricket team jerseys in stadiums and streets across Australia has been truly heartening. While the Australia-India friendship may have initially been driven in part by US influence and shared concerns about China, cricket provides a genuine shared interest that can forge lasting bonds. After all, there is a good reason behind cricket being a cliche in the Australia-India relationship.

The Indian-Australian community demonstrates how cultural heritage and national loyalty complement each other. Their contributions show that Indian roots can strengthen Australia’s pluralistic society. Their dedication to Australia’s welfare has been particularly evident during times of crisis. When bushfires threatened communities across the country, Indo-Australian groups swiftly mobilised, joining the front lines of relief efforts. Similarly, during the COVID-19 pandemic, they emerged as vital community pillars, providing direct assistance to those in need and serving as crucial conduits of public health information across cultural and linguistic barriers. 

But to take the next step as a community, and propel Australia forward, we need to look internationally.  The remarkable success of Indian-Americans in the United States offers an inspiring blueprint for maximizing our community’s potential. Their transformative impact on American society provides a compelling vision for what Indian-Australians can achieve here in Australia.

The achievements of Indian-Americans are striking: despite comprising just 1.5% of the US population, they contribute 5-6% of all U.S. tax revenue, according to the Indian American Impact Report put together jointly by The Boston Consulting Group and Indiaspora, a San Francisco-based nonprofit. The intellectual contributions of Indian Americans are equally impressive, co-authoring 13% of scientific publications in 2023. With over one hundred and fifty individuals appointed to senior positions in state and federal government, Indian-Americans have become influential leaders in communities throughout the country, while also playing a substantial role across business, entertainment, media and other industries. This level of impact and integration sets an aspirational example for the Indian-Australian community’s future.

The question before us is how to amplify our impact and harness our unique strengths to further strengthen both our local communities and Australia as a whole. The remarkable success of the Indian diaspora in the United States offers an instructive model showing how structured engagement through in-person networking, entrepreneurship programs, philanthropic initiatives, and civic activities can elevate an entire community while strengthening the broader nation. The brightest Indo-Australian minds must cultivate relationships with Indian diaspora leaders around the world, which elevates their own accomplishments on a global stage, while utilizing the collective wisdom, leadership and initiatives of Indian-origin leaders worldwide that can be utilized here in Australia. 

Looking ahead, the inaugural ‘Forum For Good’ in the UAE in February 2025 will exemplify this forward-thinking approach, aiming to address humanity’s most pressing challenges and create a lasting impact for future generations. Just as US-India relations have flourished over the past two decades, so too have Australia-India ties deepened – bound by connections that transcend even our shared love of cricket. The Indo-Australian community would do well to adopt similar strategies, fostering connections between our talented professionals and global thought leaders to create new opportunities across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and beyond.

(The authors: Jai Patel is Country Head of Australia, Indiaspora and Sanjeev Joshipura is Executive Director of Indiaspora. Views expressed are the authors’ own and not necessarily those of financialexpress.com.)