Former and current envoys reflect on two decades of Australia–India ties

Three Australian diplomats who served in New Delhi have offered a rare look at how the relationship between Australia and India has changed over the past two decades, during a panel discussion organised by the Australia India Institute.

The event, titled Two Decades of Australia-India Relations: Reflections from High Commissioners Past and Present, brought together the current Philip Green and former envoys Patrick Suckling and John McCarthy. The discussion was held at the Melbourne Global Centre – Delhi and moderated by the institute’s chief executive, Lisa Singh.

The panel looked back at diplomatic, economic and cultural developments that have shaped ties between the two countries since the early 2000s. Education links, trade cooperation, defence engagement and people-to-people connections were among the themes raised during the conversation.

Speakers reflected on the pace at which the partnership has expanded. What began largely through familiar cultural links such as cricket and migration has developed into broader cooperation across research, security and technology.

Lisa Singh said the relationship has matured across many areas over the past twenty years. She noted that the institute, founded in 2008, has focused on research and policy work that supports collaboration between the two countries and strengthens engagement across the Indo-Pacific.

The discussion came at a time when the bilateral partnership continues to grow. Defence dialogue between Canberra and New Delhi has expanded over the past year, while collaboration in clean energy technology and research partnerships has increased. Education also remains a central pillar, with growing numbers of students and academic exchanges linking universities in both countries.

Philip Green said the speed of change in the relationship stands out when looking back over recent years. According to the High Commissioner, Australia has rarely seen a major partnership grow at such pace.

He told the audience that the relationship continues to broaden across strategic, economic and cultural areas, and he expects further progress as cooperation develops in emerging sectors and regional security.

Former envoys on the panel reflected on their own periods in office, recalling earlier stages of the partnership when trade and education ties were gaining momentum. They also spoke about how shifts in global politics and economic priorities have encouraged Australia and India to work more closely together.

Analysts often point to shared democratic institutions, expanding trade links and growing migration flows as factors supporting the partnership. At the same time, observers note that both governments continue to work through practical challenges, including market access, regulatory frameworks and the pace of policy coordination.

Events such as the panel discussion provide an opportunity to examine those changes through the experiences of diplomats who have worked directly on the relationship.

As the conversation closed, speakers expressed confidence that cooperation between Canberra and New Delhi will continue to expand across defence, technology, education and culture in the coming years.