The Liberal Friends of India, launched by the Hon. Julie Bishop MP (now Australian Foreign Minister) at the NSW Parliament in April 2013, held its first forum in Sydney on 13 December 2013.
The Liberal Friends of India is chaired by Mr Matt Kean, MP and Mr Nihal Gupta with the Deputy Chairman Councillor Gurdeep Singh.
The Forum was the first of many being planned for the future and was attended by Senator, the Hon. Arthur Sinodinos AO, Assistant Treasurer of the Australian Government, Mr Nihal Gupta and Councillor Gurdeep Singh and by a number of Foundation Members of the Liberal Friends of India. The Foundation Members who participated in the Forum included Ms Sally Fielke, Mr Yateender Gupta, Mr Raman Bhalla, Mr Rohitas Batta, Mr Stanley D’Cruz, Mr Balvinder Ruby, Mr Ashutosh Agarwal, Ms Sonia Gandhi, Mr Greg Curie-Dupont.
The discussions and the subsequent Q & A were candid and in a one-to-one situation with Sen. Sinodinos and the Chairs, and mostly centred around the challenges faced by the Indian diaspora in Australia, the growing numbers within the Indian diaspora, the cultural and trade ties between India and Australia and the resultant opportunities for both the democracies.
Senator Arthur Sinodinos touched upon the importance of the growing strategic co-operation in the trade and cultural exchange between the two countries and the New Colombo Plan signifying the opportunities for growth in the Indian Ocean rim countries. He also mentioned the opportunities that exist for Australia to support the education and training needs of the Indian workers in India. The Senator thanked all those who participated in the Forum.
The guests had the opportunity to meet and engage with the Assistant Treasurer.
Mr Nihal Gupta and Councillor Gurdeep Singh thanked the Hon. Senator and concluded the Forum.
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