Photo Courtesy: nenow
Guwahati: Australian Consul General in Kolkata, Bernard Lynch, recently identified Northeast India as a critical connectivity hub for the Indo-Pacific region. Speaking at Gauhati University, Lynch emphasized that the strategic partnership between India and Australia has deepened across trade, defense, and regional security sectors since the 2020 Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Lynch highlighted the rapid growth in bilateral trade following the 2022 Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement. He noted that negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement are now underway to further strengthen these ties. Regarding regional stability, Lynch maintained that the Quad grouping remains a vital platform for peace rather than a military alliance. He stated, "The Quad was not a military alliance and said cooperation among member countries focused on areas such as maritime domain awareness, critical minerals, energy security and resilient supply chains."
The discussion also focused on Australian development projects currently active in Assam, Nagaland, Tripura, Manipur, and Arunachal Pradesh. These initiatives prioritize water management, education, and women’s empowerment. Gauhati University Vice-Chancellor Nani Gopal Mahanta encouraged expanding these academic partnerships to include institutions in the Northeast, noting that such collaborations would bolster international ties. Lynch welcomed the proposal, signaling a strong interest in future engagement with the university.
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