The Invest and Trade India Offices hosted a number of visiting dignitaries from Western Australia and Australia.

Attendees included the board of the Centre for Australia-India Relations (CAIR) and Dr Kate O’Shaughnessy, Research Director at the Perth USAsia Centre.

The visit included imparting a stronger understanding of Western Australia’s economic diversification agenda and how the WA Government and its businesses can play a major role in growing the bilateral relationship between India and Australia.  

The program was supported by the Australian Consul General in Chennai and Mumbai.  

ITWA India-Gulf recently facilitated a productive roundtable discussion, involving the officials from Tamil Nadu Government; industry leaders and experts exploring potential synergies.

This involved supporting the visit of State government agents from across India to foster government-to-government engagements. 

The ITWA offices across Chennai, Mumbai and Dubai are designed to support businesses and key stakeholders in their market access to enhance economic prosperity, increase connectivity, and position WA as a regional powerhouse across South Asia and Middle East.

CAIR board members visited Chennai on the 25-26 September. The Centre for Australia-India Relations (CAIR) works closely with businesses to promote greater awareness and understanding of the growing India market, building business literacy and supporting new business partnerships.

CAIR also manages grants and various programs such as Maitri Grants, Cultural Partnerships, Fellowships and Scholars programs to strengthen the growing connections between both our countries, which will be beneficial for Western Australian Government to understand the current climate. 

Dr Kate O’Shaughnessy, Research Director at the Perth USAsia Centre visited Chennai from 27-28 September.

During her visit, she attended Stella Maris College, a Catholic minority institution of higher education for women.

She presented to the college, alongside Ms. Sarah Kirlew, Consul General, Australian Consulate General and Ms. Nashid Chowdhury, Investment and Trade Commissioner, India Gulf, Government of Western Australia.

Dr Kate O’Shaughnessy also attended a roundtable discussion with Tamil Nadu officials to discuss opportunities for collaboration and exploring the growing relationship between Western Australia and Tamil Nadu.

Dr Kate O’Shaughnessy leads the Centre’s suite of research programs across the Indo-Pacific. She brings to the Centre an academic background in Indonesian language and history, along with 16 years’ experience with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.    

The Centre for Australia-India Relations (CAIR) board members is a national platform established by the Australian Government in 2023 to support and facilitate greater collaboration and engagement with India.

The Centre works across all levels of government, industry, academia and civil society to build greater understanding of the Australia-India relationship and the opportunities flowing from our burgeoning connections.

Published on: 03 October 2023