Speeches
Tuesday, 31 March 2026
Reception for the Centre for Australia-India Relations
Rod and I warmly welcome you all to Government House to mark the inaugural visit of the Advisory Board of the Centre for Australia-India Relations to South Australia, for its first meeting of 2026.
I extend a warm welcome, too, to our other guests this evening, all of whom play an important role in the strong ties enjoyed by South Australia and India.
It’s been my privilege to support the development of the Australia-India relationship throughout my career.
I visited India five times as DFAT Secretary, and last year I had the pleasure of returning as Governor, for a visit focused on industries including education, food and agriculture, and South Australia’s growing space sector.
It was a career highlight for me to, sitting next to Indian Minister Dr Jitendra Singh, witness the launch of the Axiom 4 Mission, which sent a private crewed spaceflight to the International Space Station, including the second Indian astronaut to go to space.
I look forward to the possibility that Katherine Bennell-Pegg, Australian of the Year, will also one day be able to travel to the ISS.
Here in South Australia, I am heartened by the growing ties between our state and India.
2026 marks 4 years since the signing of the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement.
Since then, South Australia has seen increased exports of various products including almonds, citrus fruits, pulses wool, copper and machinery, in what is now a 1.6 billion-dollar export market for the state
Everyone in the room has contributed in some way to the success of South Australia’s relationship with India, and this evening we recognise you for your efforts.
I thank government representatives for their work on formal partnerships and agreements, trade missions and in-market representation, and policy and strategy development.
I thank those of you in business, driving the economic relationship between South Australia and India through the exportation or importation of goods and services, and those of you supporting these businesses to build ties.
I thank our education representatives for working to bring Indian young people to South Australia, one of our largest sources of international students, forging long-term people-to-people links between our two regions.
I thank those of you representing the arts this evening, promoting South Australia as a cultural destination, while also encouraging tourism and cultural collaboration.
It’s important to also highlight the role of the Indian community here in South Australia across all of these endeavours.
Your presence makes an important contribution to the vibrant, culturally diverse community we enjoy in our state, while also supporting trade and other economic endeavours.
Friends,
I am deeply encouraged by the role that the Centre for Australia-India Relations plays driving forward the relationship between our two nations.
I note the many avenues through which this takes place, including the Maitri grants program, the CEO and Director Network, the Summer of Cricket program with Cricket Australia, and the important work building India business literacy across the country.
On the subject of cricket, I should also add, parenthetically, how delighted I am as Patron of the South Australian Cricket Association at the SA men’s team’s back-to-back victory, early today, in the Sheffield Shield!
I note that the Centre for Australia-India Relations has already directed close to $1 million in Maitri grants to South Australia-based projects in areas including business innovation, clean energy, and arts and culture.
I thank the Board for its dedication to ensuring that South Australia is well represented in this national effort.
I have great confidence in the potential of the Australia-India relationship.
We have already realised some of it, but I believe there is much more we can do together.
I thank the Centre for its vital work in forging new opportunities.
Friends,
As you gather this evening - sharing ideas, building connections, and deepening friendships - I hope you leave with a renewed sense of what is possible for the relationship between our two regions.
I wish the Australia-India relationship well: for South Australia, for our nation, and for the many people whose lives it will shape in the years ahead.