The Indian community in Australia has grown steadily over the past decade and now numbers around 9.76 lakh people, according to Australia’s 2021 Census. India is among the leading sources of skilled migrants to Australia and has become the country’s second-largest migrant community after England. Reflecting the growing importance of the diaspora, India expanded its diplomatic presence with the opening of a new Consulate General in Brisbane in May 2024. India has also appointed Dr. Navpreet Kaur as its first Honorary Consul in Hobart, Tasmania, further strengthening consular outreach and community engagement.
Education has emerged as one of the strongest pillars of bilateral ties. As of November 2024, nearly 1.39 lakh Indian students were enrolled in Australian educational institutions, making Indians the second-largest cohort of international students in Australia. To deepen educational cooperation, the two countries institutionalised the Australia-India Education and Skills Council (AIESC), which held its inaugural meeting in November 2023 and its second meeting in Sydney in October 2024. The discussions focused on enhancing collaboration in schools, skills development and higher education, reflecting the shared commitment to strengthening academic partnerships.
A major milestone was achieved in March 2023 with the signing of the Mechanism for Mutual Recognition of Educational Qualifications, making it easier for students and professionals to pursue education and employment opportunities in both countries.
Academic collaboration has also expanded significantly. Deakin University and University of Wollongong became the first foreign universities to establish campuses in GIFT City, Gujarat, marking a new chapter in transnational education. During Australian Education Minister Jason Clare’s visit to India in 2023, five memoranda of understanding were exchanged between Indian and Australian higher education institutions, including an agreement involving the Innovative Research Universities (IRU) consortium, which represents seven Australian public universities. The consortium aims to expand access to Australian higher education through collaborative programmes in India. Additionally, Western Sydney University signed an agreement with the Government of Uttar Pradesh to establish a campus in the state.
Cooperation has also expanded in traditional medicine and research. In 2022, India’s Ministry of AYUSH announced the establishment of an Ayurveda Academic Chair at Western Sydney University’s NICM Health Research Institute, promoting research and academic collaboration in traditional medicine.
Institutional engagement has gained further momentum through the establishment of the Centre for Australia-India Relations in Parramatta, Sydney. The Centre, inaugurated in May 2024, is spearheading initiatives such as the Maitri Scholarships, Maitri Grants and Fellowships, and the Maitri Cultural Partnership, while also strengthening diaspora engagement. It also promoted sporting exchanges through the ‘Summer of Cricket’ initiative, hosting India’s men’s and women’s cricket teams during 2024.
Sports and cultural cooperation continue to reinforce the bilateral relationship. The India-Australia Sports Cooperation Agreement, first signed in 2017, was renewed during Prime Minister Albanese’s visit to India in 2023. During the same visit, both countries also signed the India-Australia Audiovisual Co-production Agreement, opening new opportunities for collaboration in the film and creative industries.
Cultural cooperation has also seen notable progress through the repatriation of Indian heritage. Since 2014, Australia has returned 40 cultural artefacts to India, including 29 artefacts repatriated in March 2022, reflecting the shared commitment to preserving cultural heritage.
People-to-people ties are further supported by robust institutional frameworks. The Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty and Extradition Treaty, signed in 2008, came into force in 2011, while the India-Australia Social Security Agreement, signed in 2014, became operational in 2016, benefiting professionals working across both countries. Another significant milestone came with the signing of the Migration and Mobility Partnership Arrangement (MMPA) in May 2023, facilitating greater mobility for students, researchers, professionals and skilled workers while promoting closer exchanges between the two societies.
As Prime Minister Modi begins his visit to Australia, the expanding Indian diaspora, growing educational partnerships, vibrant cultural exchanges and stronger mobility frameworks continue to serve as enduring pillars of a relationship that is increasingly driven not only by strategic convergence but also by deep and lasting people-to-people connections.
