From trade to defence, Australia leans in to India friendship to bat away China threat

Renewable energy, defence among issues on agenda as Albanese works to diversify Australia’s trading partners

Countering China and winning domestic votes – especially from growing Indian diaspora – also among aims of the trip, analysts say

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Police personnel stand next to a poster with the pictures of Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (left) and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi at the Narendra Modi stadium in Ahmedabad on Tuesday. Photo: AFP

Published: 4:00am, 8 Mar 2023Updated: 1:45pm, 8 Mar 2023

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese arrived in India on Tuesday with a trade delegation, in a trip analysts say is not just about economic diversification and countering China, but also winning over domestic votes.

Albanese is expected to discuss “trade and investment, renewable energy, technology, defence and security cooperation” with counterpart Narendra Modi, who had invited him to New Delhi.

“Our two nations share a rich history – bound by our democratic values and enlivened by genuine friendship and fierce sporting rivalry,” Albanese said in a speech at a business summit in Sydney before his trip.

“By any measure, Australia is a better place because of our large, diverse and aspirational Indian-Australian community. Yet for all of this, in 2021-22, India was only Australia’s sixth-largest goods and services trading partner.”

India’s players stand in a huddle during a training session at the Narendra Modi stadium in Ahmedabad on Tuesday, ahead of their fourth and final Test cricket match against Australia. Photo: AFP

The countries’ burgeoning relationship goes beyond trade and it is about countering China as well as winning over Australian voters, according to Priya Chacko, a senior lecturer in international politics at the University of Adelaide.