
Australia announces 2025 Maitri Grants, aimed at supporting connections and research across sectors
Administered by the Centre for Australia-India Relations, the Maitri Grants encourage innovative projects and partnerships that reflect the dynamism of the Australia-India bilateral relationship, fostering long-term connections.
According to the statement, the recipients of the 2025 Maitri Grants would support connections and research across a wide range of sectors including innovation, enterprise, education, and culture.
Welcoming the announcement, Australia's High Commissioner to India, Philip Green, said, 'Australia's relationship with India is stronger, deeper and more consequential than ever – and its future holds even greater promise. At the heart of this relationship are the people-to-people connections that bind our two nations. The Maitri Grants program builds on these ties, helping unlock the full potential of our bilateral relationship.'
One of the key initiatives in this year's Maitri Grants includes funding for the prestigious Lowy Institute to recruit a distinguished scholar as the inaugural India chair. The Lowy Institute is rated among Asia's leading think tanks, providing high-quality research and distinctive perspectives on international trends shaping Australia and the world. The appointment of an India chair will be a step change for Lowy's ability to produce world- class research on India's emerging role in the Indo-Pacific and dynamics in the Indian Ocean region.
'This is a rare opportunity to lead and shape a new program of work at the Lowy Institute – a top Asian think tank,' said High Commissioner Green, adding, 'India and Australia are building a closer partnership, and that makes it more important that we know each other better. An India Chair at the Lowy Institute will contribute to Australians' understanding of India at a deep level. We are very different societies, and research, scholarship and analysis will allow us to maximise the opportunity of our shared interests.'
Lowy Institute's Director of Research, Hervé Lemahieu, said in the statement, 'In this era of global uncertainty, geography remains one of the few constants — and India is an anchor for strategic balance for Australia and the broader Indo-Pacific region. Understanding India, its trajectory, power, and diffuse interests, has never been more important to us.'
'Australia's public and policy debates are playing catch-up on the rapid evolution of the bilateral partnership. But think tanks also need to do a better job of situating India within a broader regional and international context. The country will be a central player through the chop and change we're experiencing in global politics,' he said.
'This world-class program of research at the Lowy Institute will do just that. It will elevate India in terms of our research agenda. It's an opportunity to bring in new talent, fresh perspectives, and deepen the bench on a vital piece of the puzzle in terms of how Australia looks at and engages the region,' he added.
Other projects to be funded by the Maitri grants include a world-class exhibition featuring rare artworks by renowned Indian painter Raja Ravi Varma in Australia; a project to deliver annual leadership dialogues fostering next-generation of leaders committed to the Australia-India relationship; examining how Australia and India can enhance maritime security in the Western Indian Ocean; innovative research across fields such as clean energy solutions and biomanufacturing; and elevating the stories of Australians of Indian origin.
'I congratulate this year's recipients and look forward to seeing how their work helps foster deeper links between Australia and India,' added High Commissioner Green.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
24 minutes ago
- Time of India
India–Maldives Ties: 8 key pacts inked in PM Modi-Muizzu meet; UPI, debt relief, fisheries, FTA on table
ANI photo India and the Maldives on Friday exchanged eight important agreements covering debt repayment, fisheries, digital payments, and a new Line of Credit worth Rs 4,850 crore, during PM Narendra Modi's visit to Malé. In the presence of PM Modi and Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to a stronger economic and maritime partnership. India agreed to ease Maldives' loan repayment burden by 40%, and push digital ties through UPI, RuPay and local currency trade. PM Modi also handed over 3,300 social housing units, vehicles for security forces, and medical aid kits. He and President Muizzu jointly inaugurated infrastructure projects and pledged cooperation on climate, disaster risk, and renewable energy. The visit also marked 60 years of Maldives' independence and India-Maldives diplomatic ties. PM Modi called the agreements a reflection of India's 'Neighbourhood First' approach and long-standing friendship with the island nation.


Time of India
25 minutes ago
- Time of India
Invite to VCs part of saffronising universities: Govindan
Thiruvananthapuram: CPM state secretary M V Govindan said it was shameful for vice-chancellors to attend an RSS-organised Gyan Sabha attended by its chief Mohan Bhagawat. Speaking at a news conference on Friday, Govindan said the party would strongly oppose VCs attending the event aimed at continuing the state's saffronisation or communalisation. Inviting VCs was part of continuing saffronisation of universities, he added. "When EMS Namboodiripad was the chief minister, Kerala University vice-chancellor sought an appointment. But EMS said CM should ideally visit the VC. This is the tradition from which we come. But now, VCs are taking part in RSS meetings with enthusiasm. We strongly condemn this," he said. "Governor's saffronisation move has reached Sanskrit University. RSS members are notified as members of the syndicate. In Calicut and Veterinary University, the governor wants to induct Sangh Parivar members," Govindan said. Students' unions are protesting but UDF is not doing anything against saffronisation, something to be noted, he said. UDF seems ready to join hands with any religious supporters to weaken LDF, he alleged. Stating that state should be aware of the agenda, Govindan said society in general, democratic organisations and those inclined towards democracy are protesting against communalisation. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Top 15 World's Prettiest Star In The History Half Eddie Read More Undo Govindan said US President Donald Trump urging companies not to employ Indians and the Indo-UK deal, which cut import duties, will adversely affect Kerala. "Trump's declaration violates personal rights and is unsuitable for a modern society. Kerala will be affected the most because educated youth work in different sectors across the world. Jobs are being denied to them. Despite such heinous decisions by US, including on tariffs, Indian govt is towing the line of imperialists. The India-UK agreement, which has come into force, will impact state's general and agri economy," he said. "As per the agreement, import tariff will come down from 15% to 3%. This will affect Kerala in the long run. It will lead to uncontrolled imports to the country, including to Kerala. Despite this, central govt decided not to do anything about this," he added. Meanwhile, Fraternity Movement, the students' wing of Welfare Party, of Jamaat-e-Islami, said they would resort to strong protests if the vice-chancellors attended the RSS meet. In a statement, Fraternity Movement said they wouldn't allow the 'Hindutva-ization' of higher education sector.


Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
'Ties strong enough to...': India on Muizzu's brother-in-law criticising PM Modi
The relationship between India and Maldives has withstood the test of time, said Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Friday, when asked about a purported now-deleted social media post made by Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu's brother-in-law. Mohamed Muizzu (R), shakes hand with PM Modi after signing a memorandum of understanding between the two countries in Male.(AP) Junking the post as "passing remarks", Misri said India looks forward to strengthening ties with Maldives. "Our ties are strong enough to withstand some of these passing remarks that have been made and have also withstood the test of time. I would prefer to look forward," the Foreign Secretary said. As PM Modi visits Maldives, several media reports had said that Muizzu's brother-in-law Abdullah bin Mohammed Ibrahim made a post on social media criticising PM Modi. The post has now reportedly been taken down. Reacting to a question about it, Misri said India and Maldives have withstood such remarks, adding, "by going with everything that has happened today and especially in the past 9-10 months since President Mohamed Muizzu visited India, the future is undoubtedly and unquestionably bright." Thaw in India-Maldives ties PM Modi's visit to the Maldives marks a significant shift in the India-Maldives relations, which soured in 2023 after Muizzu was elected President, on the back of an 'India Out' campaign. What further triggered a storm was posts criticising PM Modi, made by some members in Muizzu's government, following which Indian tourists started boycotting trips to Maldives, a popular tourist destination. However, ties started to restore by 2024 as both India and Maldives decided to restart diplomatic dialogue. While in Maldives, PM Modi affirmed faith into the India-Maldives diplomatic ties, calling them 'older than history and as deep as the sea.' 'India is the Maldives' closest neighbour. The Maldives holds an important place in both India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy and its Vision MAHASAGAR. India is proud to be the Maldives' most trusted friend," PM Modi said. Mohamed Muizzu also congratulated PM Modi for completing 4,078 consecutive days in office.