Indian Roundtable (Charlton/Wong)

Objective:

· Previously, governments from various political parties had pledged to tap into the potential of the relationship between their country and India. However, the current situation is unique because there is a genuine agreement on the political and strategic vision of both nations, and we are investing considerable resources into strengthening their bond. Despite this, we require assistance from those who have a deep understanding of India’s culture and society to aid in furthering the relationship. We ask of attendees: how can we improve this relationship?

Australia and India are natural partners

· In 2020, Australia and India agreed to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

· Shared interests, shared system of government and shared challenges in the region

· Australia India FTA (AI ECTA) and CECA are helping grow bilateral business and trade ties

· The Australian government is in investing in this relationship with $115.7 million allocated for India-Australia ties

Parramatta has a deep connection to India

· Currently has the first Deputy Mayor of a council in Australia with Indian heritage – Deputy Lord Mayor Cr Sameer Pandey, a local small business owner-turned Australian success story.

· over a third of residents speak a language from South Asia

· Parramatta Federal Electorate has the highest concentration and population (33,450 as of 2021) residents with Indian heritage in Australia.

· Parramatta has become the premier hub for subcontinent culture in Sydney.

· 6 out of the top 10 suburbs with the highest proportion of Indian-born residents fall within the Parramatta Federal Electorate.

· Federal MP Andrew Charlton has repeatedly lobbied for more federal attention to Parramatta and the local Indian diaspora since coming into office in May 2022.

Located minutes away from the rapidly growing CBD is the suburb of Harris Park, affectionately called Little India

· hosts a large community of small businesses and Indian entrepreneurs

· making it a renowned destination for authentic subcontinent culture

· Suburb of Harris Park has the largest concentration and population of Indian residents in Australia – 45.4% of population or 2,288 were born in India.

· In October, $3.5mn to establish a cultural precinct in Harris Park was secured by federal MP for Parramatta and Chair of the Parliamentary Friends of India Dr. Andrew Charlton. Andrew’s plan was resoundingly endorsed during two council meetings in April and has the support of the local community.

Parramatta is the fastest growing CBD in Australia and the gateway to Greater Sydney

· Businesses have realised its potential and Parramatta has recently become a prime destination for businesses looking to expand

· currently home to over 20, 000 small businesses

· in recent years, has added the ABC, NAB, Deloitte, KPMB and the Department of Home Affairs to its list of local residents

Key attendees:

· Dr. Andrew Charlton, Host, Federal Member for Parramatta

· The Hon. Penny Wong, Co-Host, Foreign Minister

· Ms Swati Dave, Chair of CAIR Advisory Board

· Mr Gurmeet Tuli, President of Little India Australia

· $3.5 mn secured by Andrew Charlton MP to establish Little India Precinct from October 2022 Budget

· In 2020, Australia and India agreed to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

· The Centre for Australia-India Relations was announced in March 2022 at the Australia-India Leaders’ Dialogue. Funding of $44 million over four years was confirmed in the October 2022 Budget, including $20 million over four years for new Maitri grants programs.

· Australia and India originally launched negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) in May 2011, following a joint feasibility study. Following India’s formal withdrawal from RCEP in February 2020, India and Australia agreed to re-engage on a bilateral free trade agreement, aiming for conclusion by end-2021.

· The Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) was signed virtually on 2 April 2022 by Australian and Indian Trade Ministers.

“The Indian-Australian community plays a huge part in making our city a modern-multicultural success. I’m incredibly proud to have the largest Indian community in Australia in Parramatta.

“The Australia-India relationship is full of potential but that hasn’t always been realised. Now, we’re at a turning point.

“This relationship is finally getting the care and attention it needs to lift off and the recent efforts by the Federal Government to seriously engage with the local Indian community is just one example of this.”

“Parramatta and Harris Park’s Little India is the heart of Australia’s Indian and subcontinent community.

“Federal investment, alongside efforts by Council, into Parramatta’s local Australina-Indian community is reflective of this new phase of the Australia-India friendship – marked by closer people to people ties.”