Latest news with #MaitriGrants
The Hindu
a day ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Think tanks need to do a better job to present India in the international context: leading Australian think tank research head
Australia's public policy makers are catching up with the rapid changes in India-Australia relationship and in that context, it is necessary to invest in building on think tank resources between the two sides, said Herve Lemahieu, Director of Research of Sydney-based Lowy Institute. The remarks from Mr Lemahieu came in the wake of Australia announcing 'Maitri Grants' that will, among other activities, fund the recruitment of a distinguished scholar for the India Chair at the Lowy Institute that is known for high quality research in the field of international studies from the Australian point of view. '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 are experiencing in global politics,' said Mr Lemahieu. The India Chair will be a new initiative to further promote understanding about India in Australia with the aim to furthering bilateral partnership. Herve Lemahieu described India as 'an anchor for strategic balance for Australia and the broader Indo-Pacific region', adding that 'Understanding India, its trajectory, power and diffuse interests, has never been more important to us.' '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 and engages the region,' said Mr Lemahieu. Australia and India are partners in the Quad grouping that also includes Japan and the United States and that apart, the two countries have a history of cooperation that dates back to the immediate post-independence years of India. The two sides are closely working on issues in the Indo-Pacific region as well as the ASEAN grouping where the Myanmar crisis has prompted concern from New Delhi and Canberra. Other projects under the Maitri Grants will include an exhibition of paintings by Raja Ravi Varma, an annual leadership dialogue, and innovative research infields like clean energy solutions and biomanufacturing, said a press note from the Centre for Australia India Relations. High Commissioner of Australia Philip Green praised the initiative at the Lowy Institute and said, '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 maximize the opportunity of our shared interests.'
Indian Express
a day ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Australia announces 2025 Maitri Grants, aimed at supporting connections and research across sectors
Australia and India are gearing up to strengthen partnerships across vital sectors of their growing bilateral relationship with the 2025 Maitri Grants, Fellowships and Scholarships, recipients of which were announced by Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, according to a press statement issued by Australia's High Commission in New Delhi on Sunday. 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.
India Gazette
3 days ago
- Business
- India Gazette
Australian's Foreign Minister Penny Wong announces 34 recipients of Maitri Grants
Canberra [Australia], July 13 (ANI): Australia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Penny Wong has announced 34 recipients of this year's Maitri Grants, Fellowships and Scholarships. The Maitri (meaning friendship) Grants, administered by the Centre for Australia-India Relations, aim to support greater exchange and collaboration with India across technology, business, education and culture, according to the statement. The statement said, 'Each project will cultivate deeper connections between our two countries, including: The Lowy Institute's first-ever India Chair, which will lift the quality of research and conversations around India's role as a major power in the Indo-Pacific region. Best-practice playbooks by Asialink Business to support collaboration, capability training and the sharing of successful partnership models in cleantech and agtech.' 'A world-class exhibition featuring rare artworks by renowned Indian painter Raja Ravi Varma at Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art. An incubator of untold narratives from Australia's South Asian diasporas that will showcase Australian-Indian experience to global screen audiences, led by Bodhi Studios,' it added. The 2024-2025 Maitri Grants include 13 Maitri scholarships supporting innovative research across fields like quantum computing technologies and clean energy solutions, and three Maitri fellowships dedicated to exploring opportunities between Australia. The statement said, 'Australia and India's relationship is closer and more important than ever. We are deepening cooperation across priority sectors that are vital to both nations' futures, including in defence, trade, education, and technology.' The recipients of the 2025 Maitri Grants will support connections and research across a wide range of sectors, including innovation, enterprise, education and culture. Administered by the Centre for Australia-India Relations, the Maitri grants encourageinnovative projects and partnerships that reflect the dynamism of the bilateral relationship, fostering long-term connections, according to the Australian High Commission in India press release. Welcoming the announcement, Australia's High Commissioner to India, Philip Green OAM, 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.' 'I congratulate this year's recipients and look forward to seeing how their work helps foster deeper links between Australia and India,' he added. (ANI)
United News of India
3 days ago
- Business
- United News of India
Australian FM Penny Wong announces 34 recipients of this year's Maitri Grants
Melbourne/New Delhi, July 13 (UNI) Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong today announced the 34 recipients of this year's Maitri Grants, Fellowships and Scholarships, aimed at promoting Australia-India ties. She said the Maitri (meaning friendship) Grants, administered by the Centre for Australia-India Relations, aims to support greater exchange and collaboration with India across technology, business, education and culture. Wong said: 'Each project will cultivate deeper connections between our two countries, including: •The Lowy Institute's first-ever India Chair, which will lift the quality of research and conversations around India's role as a major power in the Indo-Pacific region. •Best-practice playbooks by Asialink Business to support collaboration, capability training and the sharing of successful partnership models in cleantech and agtech. •A world-class exhibition featuring rare artworks by renowned Indian painter Raja Ravi Varma at Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art. •An incubator of untold narratives from Australia's South Asian diasporas that will showcase Australian-Indian experience to global screen audiences, led by Bodhi Studios. 'The 2024-2025 Maitri Grants also includes 13 Maitri scholarships supporting innovative research across fields such as quantum computing technologies and clean energy solutions and three Maitri fellowships dedicated to exploring opportunities between Australia and India in biomanufacturing, maritime cooperation and digital governance. 'Australia and India's relationship is closer and more important than ever. We are deepening cooperation across priority sectors that are vital to both nations' futures, including in defence, trade, education, and technology.' The full list of Maitri Grants recipients is available at: General: Scholars: Fellows: UNI RN
