Meet one of India's top policymakers

Hosted by: AIIA NSW & the Lowy Institute

The event will start on: Wednesday, 01 December 2010 5:00 PM

And will end on: Wednesday, 01 December 2010 6:30 PM

At The Glover Cottages, Sydney

124 Kent Street , Sydney NSW

02 8011 4728     nsw.branch@aiia.asn.au

Posted by: nsw   

The short but successful visit by US President Barack Obama to Mumbai and Delhi earlier this month was a reminder of the growing importance of India,  as the centre of global economic gravity moves to the Asia Pacific region.

After a few false starts, the world’s only superpower and its most populous democracy have drawn closer together in a relationship that is both serious and expanding. Apart from the significant US backing for Indian membership of the UN Security Council, and the US-India bilateral civilian nuclear agreement, there growing business links, major American investments, arms deals, and joint military exercises.

Economic reforms in India have gradually opened up a consumer market of 1.2 billion people. India is already Australia’s fourth largest export market, worth $16.2 billion in he last financial year.

Political relations between Australia and India are improving, after recent strains.  Contributing factors have been the Labor government’s refusal to sell uranium to India, and violent incidents against Indian students in Australia.

India will have an increasingly powerful impact on our region and Australian foreign policy in the years to come.

The Australian Institute for International Affairs, in association with the Lowy Institute for International Policy, and the Australia-India Council, is pleased to present Montek Singh Ahluwalia

Montek Singh Ahluwalii, who has  Indian Cabinet rank, is at the heart of policymaking in planning India’s future. Apart from his duties as deputy director of India’s Planning Commission, he is one of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s closest advisers, accompanying him to global meetings such as G-20 and the United Nations General Assembly.  Oxford-educated, he was once the youngest division head at the World Bank, and remains a leader in global economic debate.

We expect heavy demand for a seat at this event, for which advanced reservations are necessary.

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Time: Refreshments 5:00 pm
Venue: The Glover Cottages, 124 Kent Street, Sydney (located adjacent to the Kent St Fire Station)
Cost: AIIA members $15; Senior members / students $10; Visitors $20; Senior Visitors $15