Australia is concerned about China’s military build-up and attack on minorities in Bangladesh after the fall of Sheikh Hasina regime earlier this month, said High Commissioner Philip Green.
In an exclusive interview with CNN-News18 in Kolkata, Green talked in detail about India-Australia partnership and said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will be very pleased with PM Narendra Modi’s Ukraine visit.
The envoy said that Australia is keen on second phase of Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) with India.
Q: How Is Your Last One Year In India?
It has been very exciting last one year here in India. I am fifth time ambassador in any foreign country. Relationship with India is very important, we are strategic partner. We are friends for many years now and we are working with each other for common vision. We are discovering each other economically. India is fast growing economy and we are a complimentary economy. We produce certain goods and services which now India needs to grow in next few years.
We have got first free trade agreement and working on the second. Other important part of bilateral relation is human bridge. Near about 1 million Indian population is living in Australia, which is 4 per cent of our population. They are making a big contribution.
Q: How Was Your Kolkata Visit?
Kolkata is one of my favourite city. I love the cultural and literary character of this city. This is the city of intellectuals, city of culture, art, city of Amartya Sen, Satyajit Ray and Tagore. For us, East and North East is very important, and strategically very important. Focus of Australia is in North East and Indian ocean. For us, important neighbours are Bangladesh and Myanmar. Recently there was trouble in Bangladesh. We are watching it very closely.
Australia is a mining giant. We can do lot in mining, we know lot of things. We can give best technology. India’s east is very important. This is my 3rd trip to Kolkata.
Q: How Do You See India-Australia Ties Growing In Modi 3.0?
Modi is a great friend of Australia and we are really having very good strategic and bilateral relations in his tenure as PM. He shares very warm friendship with our PM. They are very close and aligned on many international issues. We see lot of continuity and alignment with India coming 5 years. Many of key ministers with whom we deal, they have come back in their duties in same area. They have come in our country like Jaishankar and Piyush Goyal. We will continue to have great partnership in three major areas. Bilateral economic and strategic relations and people to people connection will go further at great pace.
Q: Where Will India-Australia Trade Relations Go From This Point?
It will open up more. Over last 5 years, India’s exports has increased 37% worldwide. India exports to Australia has grown up to 60% which is twice the speed. This is huge and Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) has helped. In this part of India apparel, clothing is important. Iron ore exports had gone upto 16 percent. Free trade really helps, we have great opportunity. We are keen to have 2nd phase of ECTA .
Q: What Do You have To Say On Modi’s Ukraine Visit?
My government has not reacted to Modi’s Ukraine visit till now. But I am sure my PM will be very pleased that Modi is visiting Ukraine at this point. We are deeply concerned by the fact that Russia invading their sovereign country. A big country invading a small nation is not acceptable for us. It’s not a good thing. Russia is a permanent member of security council. They have been given a special responsibility for upholding peace and security. Such country involved in this is unacceptable. We are also looking for a moment where Ukraine can find peace on its own terms.
Q: How is Australia’s Relationship With China?
We have a difficult period with China. Our government made effort to stabilise (ties) with China. They are powerful. There are many areas where we can work with China like trade. They have important role in areas like environment. There are issues where we have differences with China. We are concerned about China’s military build-up, it is the largest built-up on the planet. It has taken place without re-assurance. Incident has taken place around island neighbouring Philippines.
Q: How Do You See India-China Border Tensions?
This is matter between Beijing and Delhi to resolve. Nobody wants to see friction, escalation and loss of lives. There is an effort from both sides. We welcome that.
Q: What’s Moto of Quad?
Quad has transformed now. Even we have gone to PM level, we are achieving things on the ground. Now are meetings happening on ministerial level, now we have a clear work agenda. Quad is not targeting anyone but this region has vision. Sovereignty is paramount and no country dominates anyone. It’s very crucial for us. This has beautiful opportunity. Quad is not against any country. Quad is for the sovereignty of nations.
Q: How is India-Australian Relations In Education?
There are 120,000 Indian students in Australia. We welcome more of them. But this should not be one way. India’s new economic policy allows foreign branch campuses here. This is vital turning point in our relationship with India.
Q: What’s Your Take On India-Australia Defence Ties?
We are doing more exercises. Indian troops just returned from our exercises. We have done it once or twice. We need to normalise and natural this. We should work in inter-operable way. We want to work in closest possible way.
Q: How Do You See Present Condition of Bangladesh?
We are committed to work with interim government of Professor Yunus in Bangladesh. It is excellent that he has called for peace, order and justice. We would like to see peace, order and justice. Bangladesh has history of multi-faith and tolerance. Domestic issues should be resolved. We want to see Bangladesh close relationship in sub-region. Relation between India and Bangladesh should be good . Yunus has decided to go to Bimstek summit that’s important and clear sign that he has intention to engage in good relation. We have good relation with Bangladesh but attack on minorities is an area of concern.
Q: How do you see India-Bangladesh relations?
India will decide that but it should be good. We want to see close relationship between them because of Indian Ocean. India is key partner for us in Indian Ocean. We held major conference on that. We are working closely with India and we think India will get a better landing place.
Q: What’s your take on minorities attack in Bangladesh?
That would be matter of deep concern. Prof Younis has called for peace, justice and order. There should be peace and respect for minorities. That’s what we want. We will strongly urge that minority should be protected.
Q: What is your take on Khalistani protestors seen last year in Australia?
Indian community is very harmonious in Australia. We are free country, anyone can protest but that cannot be violent. We will ensure that. Violence will not be acceptable. Let me assure you our security and intelligence authorities will keep Indian authorities safe and securities.
Q: How do you see India-Australia growing in next five years?
It should grow more stronger. India should invest in Australia in critical mineral capability. We should further move in free agreement and we should be more close in security partnership. We would like to see that people to people relationship to grow. We want Indian diaspora should participate in growing relations.
Q: Australia defeated India in World Cup. Any thoughts?
Oh yes, we are now excited for Border-Gavaskar series. It is a big tournament. We are trying to invite more people should come enjoy and discuss beyond cricket.
Q: Any comment on Kolkata rape-murder case
I feel sad about rape that has happened in this city. Australian media has reported. Safety security of women is vital important. We all need to work hard on this.
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