The book ‘India and Australia Strengthening International Cooperations through Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative’, prepared by the Center for Public Policy Research and Monash University with the support of the Australian Department of Foreign Trade, was released in Thiruvananthapuram on February 17, 2023. Australian High Commissioner to India Barry O’Farrell received the book from former Vice Chancellor of the Central University of Kerala G Gopakumar, in the presence of Australian Consul General for South India Ms. Sarah Kirlew.
The book ‘India and Australia: Strengthening International Cooperation Through The Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative’ is a compilation of research papers written by scholars from India, ASEAN countries, and Australia on strengthening international cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. The book has three sections based on the three key sessions of the Australia-India Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative Partnership (AIIPOIP) Conference held in Kochi, in April 2022. The three themes of discussion include maritime security, tackling the issue of marine debris and litter in the Bay of Bengal, and the importance of smart ports.
“This kind of book will help in developing India-Australia bilateral relations. Such papers and research can help shape new fields and new ideas in informal bilateral discussions,” said Australian High Commissioner to India, Barry O’Farrell.
G Gopakumar said, “This book is an attempt to highlight three major aspects connecting India and Australia in the context of the Indian Ocean as well as the Indo-Pacific region. Broadly its covers the potential area of the corporation and strategic relationships between India and Australia, some of the areas that we have not developed but possibilities and potentialities are existing. The book also attempts to analyze the role that small ports can play in developing maritime relationships. Small ports along with big ports are important and in the future, there will be a huge quantity of small ports emerging across the country. India is also developing such small ports. Certainly, Australia has its own significance as well as ports are constructed. Environmental aspects are also taken into consideration. And how the possibility of maligning and contaminating the ocean through the use of plastic and litter. This is also taken into consideration. Broadly it focuses on cooperation and the strategies through which India and Australia can move together and strengthen international relations in the future.”
Dr. D Dhanuraj, Chairman of Centre for Public Policy Research delivered the welcome speech. CPPR Research Associate Anu Maria Francis introduced the content of the book touching upon the consistent rise in India-Australia relations. Prasant Jena, Operations Head CPPR delivered the vote of thanks.
