Austrlian special envoy bats for closer Indian ties

Mumbai: Both Australia and India can benefit immensely, if they can pool their synergies and work together at this critical juncture.

Speaking at the Indian Merchant's Chamber, Brian Hayes QC, South Australia's special envoy to India, said, "Australia has huge mineral deposits, but little manpower. India has large skilled manpower resources and a strong pool of entrepreneurs. If the two can pool their strengths together by ignoring the temporary odds that have surfaced in recently, both countries can build their long-term relationship on a very productive and solid base."

Hayes said that he believed that the recent tragic incidents that had vitiated bilateral relationship between the two countries were of a temporary nature and that the situation would change for the better soon.

"True, many Indians see disadvantages in going to Australia at this juncture. But, the disadvantages are by far outweighed by the great opportunities that Australia offers to Indian entrepreneurs. I appeal to Indian Merchants Chamber to create awareness of these opportunities among Indian businessmen and persuade them to tap them," he said.

Referring to an observation by IMC's international trade committee chairman Anil Ruia that Australia had shown reluctance to support India's permanent membership to the UN Security Council, or to supply uranium for the Indian nuclear power plants, Hayes agreed that there was indeed a deficit of political confidence in the bilateral relationship.

He however mooted the view hat  if the two countries could bolster their relationship in the field of business and investment, eventually it would build the necessary political confidence, which was lacking.