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Jaishankar Meets Australian Delegation from Macquarie Group

The Australian envoy to India, Philip Green, was also among the team members of Macquarie Group who held a meeting with Jaishankar….reports Asian Lite News

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday interacted with the visiting team of Macquarie Group, sharing the “strong fundamental and transformational changes underway” in the country.

Taking to his official handle on X, EAM Jaishankar shared details of the meeting, posting, “Interacted with the visiting Macquarie group team today. Shared with them India’s strong fundamentals, transformational changes underway and our view of the world.”

The Australian envoy to India, Philip Green, was also among the team members of Macquarie Group who held a meeting with Jaishankar.

Last month, Jaishankar announced a series of initiatives, underscoring a “real momentum” between India and Australia, which include new consulates on both sides, direct flight connections, advancements in the education field and many others.

The announcements were made by the EAM at a press briefing on the India-Australia Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue.

Jaishankar highlighted the key aspects of the burgeoning relationship, saying there was “a real momentum in the India-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership”.

Listing the key takeaways of the dialogue, the EAM said, “We saw new Consulates General on both sides, the Australians in Bengaluru, and we are opening ours in Brisbane. More direct flight connections. The opening of the first Australian university campuses in India. An agreement on mutual recognition of educational qualifications. Migration and mobility arrangement.” (ANI)

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Maxi Eyes Test Return

While Maxwell knows he is better suited to the limited-overs format of the game, the 35-year-old still feels he can make an impact at Test level…reports Asian Lite News

Limited-overs specialist Glenn Maxwell has not given up hope of making a return to Test cricket and is eyeing off an away series on the sub-continent at the end of the current ICC World Test Championship cycle as his best opportunity to do so.

Maxwell has played just seven Tests for his country, with every one of those red-ball contests coming outside Australia and his most recent appearance more than six years ago, reports ICC.

In that time Maxwell played a major role in helping Australia claim their inaugural ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title in Dubai in 2021 and then starred once again during the Aussies’ recent successful ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup campaign in India.

While Maxwell knows he is better suited to the limited-overs format of the game, the 35-year-old still feels he can make an impact at Test level and wants to continue to put his name forward for selection ahead of Australia’s final series of the current World Test Championship cycle.

Australia are scheduled to travel to Sri Lanka at the start of 2025 to battle it out for the Warne-Muralitharan Trophy in what looms as a crucial series in the run into the World Test Championship final later that year and Maxwell harbours aspirations to be involved.

“I’m quite understanding the circumstances of the current side. They’re playing some really good cricket, they’re World Test champions,” Maxwell said on Australian radio station SEN on Tuesday.

“There’s not a lot of spots up for grabs as far as Tests at home, but I know that when it does come to a sub-continent tour I can be a real viable option to hopefully fill a role in that side.

“I don’t think there’s another sub-continent tour until early 2025. So, I’ll keep trying to plug away and hopefully get an opportunity at that stage.”

Maxwell is currently back home in Australia preparing himself for another domestic Big Bash League campaign, while many of his World Cup-winning teammates are gearing up for the start of a hectic Test summer that includes a three-match series against World Test Championship pacesetters Pakistan and two contests against the West Indies.

Much of the discussion heading into the summer has been surrounding whether experienced opener David Warner will retire from Test cricket after the home Test against Pakistan in Sydney as he suggested prior to Australia’s successful World Test Championship final campaign earlier this year.

Former teammate Mitchell Johnson recently aired some grievances surrounding Warner by indicating the veteran opener should not be able to select his own retirement date.

But Maxwell refused to get drawn into this discussion and instead opted to provide a glowing endorsement for his fellow World Cup winner.

“I’m not going to throw my name into some headlines about this,” Maxwell said.

“But Davey’s been an absolute champion of Australian cricket for a long period of time and the selectors were pretty clear on what they thought of it (selecting him).

“I’m looking forward to seeing Davey in that first Test and him making a lot of runs this summer.”

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UK surpasses Australia as top study abroad choice for Indians

The report indicates a substantial year-on-year growth rate for the UK at 49.6 percent closely followed by Canada at 46.8 percent…reports Asian Lite News

Canada and the US remain top choices for Indian students, while the UK surpasses Australia as the third preferred study destination, as per the Indian Students Mobility Report 2023, signaling shifting trends in international education.

Amidst shifting preferences among Indian students, Canada remains the top choice followed closely by the United States. The recent Indian Students Mobility Report 2023 sheds light on entry numbers for 2022, revealing interesting trends in international education.

A noteworthy shift in preferences emerged as the United Kingdom surpassed Australia to claim the third spot in the ranking of favored study destinations for Indian students.

The report indicates a substantial year-on-year growth rate for the UK at 49.6 percent closely followed by Canada at 46.8 percent.

Over the last four years, Canada has consistently attracted the highest number of Indian students, securing the top position three times. However, the United States took the lead in 2021, while Australia and the UK held the third and fourth positions from 2019 to 2021.

Notably, 2022 saw a significant reshuffling of this order, signaling renewed demand post-Covid-19 challenges.

The concerns regarding diplomatic tensions between India and Canada, projections for student mobility could face disruptions. Director Maria Mathais expressed cautious optimism but highlighted potential challenges in visa processing.

Despite this, it’s anticipated that student interest in Canadian institutions may remain resilient, albeit with potential exploration of alternative destinations by a segment of the market.

Canada has witnessed a remarkable surge in Indian student enrollments, showcasing an increase of over 86 percent since 2018. However, projections suggest a potential slowing down in momentum for Canada in the coming years. Conversely, Australia’s standing as a preferred destination has gradually waned over the past five years, with a drop in ranking for Indian students from third place in 2019 to fourth place in 2022.

ALSO READ-Indian, Australian missions co-host Indo-Pacific Conference

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Indian, Australian missions co-host Indo-Pacific Conference

Vikram Doraiswami, Indian High Commissioner to the UK stressed that the abiding commitment of India and Australia to promote a vision of a free, open and secure Indo-Pacific is reflected in the strength of our bilateral partnership…reports Asian Lite News

The Australian and Indian High Commissions to the United Kingdom (UK) co-hosted the inaugural Indo-Pacific Conference in London on Thursday to explore practical ideas to strengthen Indo-Pacific resilience.

The unique collaboration brought together leading experts from Australia, India, and the United Kingdom to address threats to regional security and enhance strategic stability.

Australian High Commissioner to the UK, Stephen Smith, said, “The Indo-Pacific has never been in greater focus, whether in Australia, India, or here in the UK. This conference is an important opportunity to explore how the regional security and economic dynamics are continuing to shape the strategic environment both in and beyond the Indo-Pacific.”

Acknowledging China’s growing influence on the Indo-Pacific region, Stephen Smith added, “Our focus has been with the Pacific, but we’re also very strategically conscious of the Indian Ocean. Through IORA, the Indian Ocean Rim Association, we’ve been working very hard to grow our relationships with Indian Ocean Island states. Whether it’s Australia and India meeting in the United Nations General Assembly or meeting in the Commonwealth, there are shared interests which are applicable whichever ocean you’re in.”

The three “physical neighbours in London” – India House, Australia House, and King’s College co-hosted the conference along with the Council on Geostrategy (UK) to further develop the vital conversation on ‘deepening cooperation for a more secure, resilient, and prosperous Indo-Pacific’.

Vikram Doraiswami, Indian High Commissioner to the UK stressed that the abiding commitment of India and Australia to promote a vision of a free, open and secure Indo-Pacific is reflected in the strength of our bilateral partnership.

“Our views are increasingly reflected by other key partners, with whom we work bilaterally and in plurilateral formats, such as the US, Japan, ASEAN, and Korea. We welcome in this regard increased interest in the UK, as part of its Global Britain policy, to work with countries such as India and Australia, in support of this objective,” he said.

Replying to ANI on a possible Australian and Indian strategy to get the small islands in the Indo-Pacific out of China’s influence, Doraiswami emphasized that the focus is to create opportunities for everybody to partner in an Indo-Pacific approach.

“That addresses each country’s sense of what they want to see in a larger and more diverse security space. That isn’t just hard security, but it’s economic security, environmental security, life and livelihood security, particularly for fishing nations. That’s the point that this conference is seeking to bring out, that there are multiple things we can do in this area that is critical to global prosperity and progress,” he added.

Jenny Bates, Director General, Indo-Pacific, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (UK), emphasised the importance of the tri-lateral collaboration saying, “The kind of world that the UK wants to have, we cannot do that without partnering more in the Indo-Pacific. This is strategic long-term stuff for us and we are really focussed on where the UK can add value.

She further stressed that it is self-evident that we are not a part of the Indo-Pacific, but we do bring particular assets- capabilities and insights into that region. “We are very focussed on where that value-added must come and we are interested in perspectives and ideas on that.”

According to Prof Alessio Patalano, Professor of War and Strategy in East Asia, King’s College London, as ties between Australia and India grow strategically stronger, this initiative represents a most timely opportunity to create synergies and enhance the shared capacity to support the development of the international order in three critical domains: maritime, cyber, and technology.

Patalano said, “King’s College London has a longstanding intellectual and academic connection with Australia and India, and this event is both a reflection of the depth of these links and an opportunity to chart the direction of our ambition to add an academic layer to the UK Indo-Pacific engagement.” (ANI)

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India’s Young Guns Avenge World Cup Loss

After being put in to bat first, India’s top order scripted history by becoming the first top-three Indian trio to register fifty-plus scores in T20Is….reports Asian Lite news

Young stars Yashasvi Jaiswal (53), Ruturaj Gaikwad (58) and Ishan Kishan (52) scored fifties to guide India to a 44-run win over Australia at the Greenfield Stadium to take a 2-0 lead in the five-match T20I series.

After being put in to bat first, India’s top order scripted history by becoming the first top-three Indian trio to register fifty-plus scores in T20Is.

Suryakumar Yadav played a 10-ball 19 cameo before falling at the hands of Nathan Ellis. Rinku Singh remained unbeaten on 31 runs off just nine deliveries, smashing four boundaries and two sixes as India ended with 235 for 4 on the scoreboard in the first innings, their fifth-highest score in T20Is.

Australia openers Steve Smith and Mathew Short got their side off to a positive start, taking the attack to Arshdeep Singh and Prasidh Krishna. However, Ravi Bishnoi turned the game on its head with quick dismissals of Short and Josh Inglis.

All-rounders Marcus Stoinis and Tim David hit some big shots to offer a glimmer of hope for Australia. The two batters formed a quick-fire 81-run partnership to get Australia back in the contest.

Bishnoi claimed the wicket of David in the 14th over. David departed after scoring 37 runs off 22 balls, hitting four boundaries and two sixes.

Mukesh Kumar also joined the party and denied Stoinis a well-deserved half-century to effectively break Australia’s back in the 236-run chase.

The right-handed batter walked back after scoring a 25-ball 45, smashing two boundaries and four maximums.

Mathew Wade scored 42 but failed to take his team home.

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Liberal Party’s Dave Sharma Creates Waves in Australia

A federal member of parliament for the seat of Wentworth from 2019 to 2022, Sharma also served as Australia’s Ambassador to Israel from 2013 to 2017…reports Asian Lite News

Former MP Dave Sharma is returning to the Australian parliament by becoming the first person of Indian-origin from the opposition Liberal party to win the New South Wales (NSW) Senate position.

Dave defeated former state treasurer Andrew Constance 251-206 in a vote of Liberal Party members on Sunday for a seat left vacant by foreign minister Marise Payne.

“Dave’s entry to the Senate as part of the Liberal Party comes at a crucial time given events abroad and at home,” Peter Dutton, Liberal Party leader, said in a statement referring to the situation in the Middle East.

“His diplomatic and foreign policy expertise and experience will lend considerable weight and wisdom to the public policy debate given the precarious circumstances in Eastern Europe, the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific,” Dutton said as he congratulated Sharma on securing the seat.

Dutton had endorsed both Constance and former minister Zed Seselja in the tightly-contested race where 10 candidates had thrown their hats in the ring but Dave emerged as a consensus candidate.

“I would like to thank the party members for the opportunity to hold (Prime Minister Anthony) Albanese government to account in the senate over its many missteps and wrong decisions, and to fight for the many households across NSW struggling to deal with Labor’s cost-of-living crisis,” Dave said.

A federal member of parliament for the seat of Wentworth from 2019 to 2022, Sharma also served as Australia’s Ambassador to Israel from 2013 to 2017.

“Dave will speak with moral courage and provide moral clarity as we grapple with unprecedented levels of anti-Semitism on our own shores following Hamas’ horrific terrorist attack on Israel on 7 October,” Dutton said .

The opposition leader added that Dave will be a voice of reason in the senate and “help hold senators from the Greens and others to account for their rank anti-Semitism and shameful moral equivalence”.

Dutton further said that Dave will continue to fight for everyday Australian workers, families and small businesses which are being forgotten and left behind by the ruling Labor government.

As a career diplomat prior to entering parliament, Dave was also posted to Washington D.C. and Port Moresby, served as a peacekeeper with the Peace Monitoring Group in Bougainville, and headed the international division within the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.

He studied at the University of Cambridge, where he graduated with first-class honours in Law.

He also has a Master of Arts from Cambridge and a Master of Arts (International Relations) from Deakin University.

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Spin Maestro Ashwin Tips Hat to Oz Brilliance

Ashwin was highly impressed with Pat Cummins’s “tactical masterclass” in the finals as Cummins went on to take two key wickets of Shreyas Iyer and Virat Kohli….reports Asian Lite News

Veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin lauded Australia’s victory in the ODI World Cup final against India, attributing the Baggy Greens’ record-extending sixth title to their exceptional tactical prowess showcased in the summit clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

After a loss in the first two games of the league stage, Australia went on to win eight consecutive games to reach the finals against India, which they won by six wickets, thanks to Travis Head’s masterclass inning of 137 runs.

Ashwin was highly impressed with Pat Cummins’s “tactical masterclass” in the finals as Cummins went on to take two key wickets of Shreyas Iyer and Virat Kohli.

“Final was a tactical masterclass by Cummins, he had a 4-5 fielding setup, similar to an off-spinner, hitting stump line – he bowled only 3 balls in the 6 meter mark towards the stump line as not allowing batters to drive – he bowled all-overs without mid-off, a masterclass,” said Ashwin on his YouTube channel.

Ashwin also anticipated Australia to stick to tradition and bat first, but they surprised everyone with their decision. He noted that Australia’s choice at the toss was rooted in analyzing the pitch’s black soil, which tends to favor batting in the evening.

“Australia did not win because of destiny or luck. They were tactically outstanding in the final”

“Let me make it clear, Australia did not win because of destiny or luck. They were tactically outstanding in the final. I watched their performance in the final with absolute fascination. Australia and Pat Cummins deceived me. I thought Australia would bat first if they win the toss because, historically, it’s an Aussie thing to ‘win the toss and bat’. The wicket used for the final was not Ahmedabad soil, it was rather from Odisha. It was the kind of wicket that would not disintegrate too much,” said Ashwin.

After being asked to bat first India managed to put up a below-par score of 240 runs as Australian bowlers were well on top with tight lines and well-accurate line length outside the off.

The Australian pace trio went on to take seven wickets, three to Mitchell Starc and two wickets apiece for Cummins and Josh Hazlewood. Glenn Maxwell brought into the powerplay managed to get the key wicket of Rohit Sharma, who yet again gave a thrilling start to India.

Ashwin also recalled his chat with Australia’s Chief Selector George Baily after the match and said: “I had a chat with George Bailey during the mid innings, I asked him why didn’t you guys bat first like you always do – he answered back, we have played IPL & Bilateral series here a lot – red soil disintegrates but not black soil & it gets better under lights – no impact on dew on red soil but black soil has good turn in afternoon & then it will be a concrete in night – this is our experience,” said Ashwin.

The spin-bowling all-rounder further said that he never thought that his World Cup journey would end with him playing just one match. Ashwin played the India’s first league game against Australia at his home ground – the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, claiming one wicket for 34 runs in his allotted ten overs quota.

“Never thought that my run at the World Cup would end after playing one match in Chennai, because I was bowling with good rhythm. My return was supposed to come against New Zealand at Dharamsala, Hardik had a heartbreaking injury. Hardik Pandya was an important figure because we did not have an all-rounder to replace him,” Ashwin said.

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Skilled Migrants in Australia Face Barriers

Applicants’ lack of understanding of the application requirements in Australia, such as cover letters and addressing key selection criteria, is one of the barriers noted in the research…reports Asian Lite News

 Skilled migrants in Australia face recruitment barriers that lead to a surplus of overqualified delivery and taxi drivers while necessary jobs remain unfilled, a new research revealed on Thursday.

“Our research shows that skilled migrants who move to Australia and students who stay in Australia after study end up in jobs lower than their skill level due to barriers in the application process,” June Tran, a lecturer with the RMIT University in Melbourne, was quoted as saying in a statement.

Recruiters would set unfair requirements for local work experience and only recognize local certificates or qualifications, Xinhua news agency reported citing thr research as saying.

Applicants’ lack of understanding of the application requirements in Australia, such as cover letters and addressing key selection criteria, is one of the barriers noted in the research.

There is also bias toward applicants from Western countries with less experience over people from Asian non-English-speaking countries, the research revealed.

“These skilled migrants we so desperately need end up taking jobs well below their skill level to support themselves and their families and to cope with the skilled migrant-unfriendly recruitment practices,” Tran said.

The research was first published in the Asia Pacific Journal of Human Resources in October 2023.

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AustraHind-23: Indian Military Contingent Departs for Australia

The Australian Army contingent comprises 60 personnel from the 13th Brigade….reports Asian Lite News

An Indian Armed Forces contingent, comprising 81 personnel, departed for Australia on Wednesday to participate in the second edition of joint military Exercise ‘AustraHind-23’, Ministry of Defence announced in a press release.

The exercise will be conducted in Western Australia’s Perth from November 22 to December 6. The Indian Army contingent comprises 60 personnel from a battalion of the Gorkha Rifles. One officer from the Indian Navy and 20 personnel from the Indian Air Force will also participate in the exercise.

The Australian Army contingent comprises 60 personnel from the 13th Brigade.

The Australian contingent also includes 20 personnel each from the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force, according to an official release by the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

The aim of the exercise is to foster collaborative partnership and share best practices between the two nations, the MoD stated in the release, adding that the joint drills will also promote interoperability while undertaking multi-domain operations in urban and semi-urban terrain under Chapter VII of the United Nations on peacekeeping operations.

“The joint exercise will promote an exchange of ideas and jointly rehearse tactics, technique and procedures for conducting tactical operations. Training curriculum also includes sniper firing, and jointly operating surveillance and communication equipment to achieve a high degree of situational awareness,” the MoD release stated.

“The exercise will also help in promoting understanding between the two militaries and further strengthen the defence cooperation between the two friendly nations,” it added.

The exercise will help in promoting understanding between the militaries of India and Australia while also strengthening the defence cooperation between the two nations, the release stated.

Further, in its release, the Ministry of Defence noted, “Exercise AUSTRAHIND was instituted in 2022 and the first edition was conducted in Mahajan, Rajasthan. It is planned to be an annual training event to be conducted alternatively in India and Australia.” (ANI)

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India, Australia reaffirm support for Israel

The conflict in Gaza escalated after the October 7 attack by Hamas, where about 2,500 breached the border into Israel from the Gaza Strip, leading to casualties and the seizure of hostages…reports Asian Lite News

Reaffirming their support to Israel in its war against Hamas, India and Australia also called for adherence to international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians.

The two nations also urged for the immediate release of all remaining hostages.

“Noting horrific attacks against Israel on 7 October 2023, both sides reaffirmed that they stand with Israel against terrorism and called for adherence to international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians. They called for the immediate release of all remaining hostages,” the joint statement said.

The India-Australia joint statement that came after the Defence and Foreign Ministers’ 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue also expressed support for “humanitarian pauses” in the region.

“The Ministers committed to continue coordinating with partners in the region on humanitarian assistance to meet the urgent needs of Palestinian civilians in Gaza. They expressed support for humanitarian pauses and committed to continue close diplomatic coordination, including with key partners in the region, to prevent the conflict from spreading, preserve stability in the Middle East, and work toward a political solution and durable peace,” the joint statement read.

The conflict in Gaza escalated after the October 7 attack by Hamas, where about 2,500 breached the border into Israel from the Gaza Strip, leading to casualties and the seizure of hostages.

Israel has characterised its Gaza offensive as targeting Hamas’ infrastructure with the goal of eliminating the entire group while making efforts to minimize civilian casualties.

During the 2+2 Ministerial dialogue, the ministers from both sides also expressed their deep concern at the deteriorating situation in Myanmar and its impacts on regional security and stability.

They called for an immediate cessation of violence, the release of all those arbitrarily detained, safe access to humanitarian assistance, and resolution of the crisis through dialogue and transition towards federal democracy.

They reaffirmed their support for ASEAN-led efforts in addressing the crisis in Myanmar and called for the full implementation of ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus, the joint statement added.

A number of Myanmar nationals fled from their country following the recent airstrike by the Myanmar army in the bordering areas of the country.

More than 26,000 from Myanmar’s Rakhine state have been displaced since Monday after fresh fighting between Myanmar Armed Forces (MAF) and the Arakan Army (AA) according to the United Nations. (ANI)

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