Australia-India relations: the prime ministerial nexus

Summary In revisiting the Modi Government’s domestic and international agenda, this paper canvasses opportunities for Australia to build Indian confidence and trust, and benefit by pursuing substantive ties that also necessitates setting aside Australian concerns about doing business in India. Modi’s round of regional visits, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Delhi for their annual bilateral summit, President Barack Obama’s attendance as the first American president to be chief guest at India’s Republic Day celebrations and his speech at a US-India Business Council Summit, together with China’s importance, underline India’s priorities. While it is clear that Australia must continue to “make the running”, and Modi’s “Make in India” can coincide, it is not clear yet whether Abbott will attempt to attract Modi’s attention from the sidelines or have a box seat &nbsp