Australian Envoy Farrell says, ‘Attack on temples blackening image of Australia’

New Delhi: Allaying fears about vandalism and attack
on temples in Australia and Albanese government’s lack of action on the arsonists,
Berry O Farrell, High Commissioner of Australia to India said that it is unacceptable
and ‘whoever is doing this, these attacks are blackening the image of Australia
that does not exist elsewhere. It is concerning that there are organisations in
the world seeking to disrupt the image of India to achieve something that is
unacceptable,’ he said.

Barry O Farrell, Australia’s Ambassador to India, a politician and former Governor of South New
Wales was appointed High Commissioner to
India by the then Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison in 2020.

 On Australian Universities banning Indian students the
outgoing envoy informed that some migration agents are letting down students
who want to study overseas by not completing forms. ‘We have seen an uptick
from a small number of migration agents which are being unfair to students who
have paid for their legitimate application and in return a very small numbers
of universities have decided to pull the tap off all those migration agents.
Its not intended to be a long term effort.’ He advised the student to ask for a
copy of the application and check for false statements to avoid themselves from
embarrassment of application being rejected.’ About 86,000 Indians study at Australian universities.

Talking on a range of issues between Indian &
Australia at IAFAC interaction, Farrell said that our new relationship is at its
highest point ever. ‘India Australia relations is not only flying but speeding
up.’

Farrell said, ‘India will never be ignored again by
Australia because of the growing Indian constituency. Indian diaspora in
Australia is almost a million strong. It is increasingly influencing
Australians attitude towards India. Diaspora is the greatest inspiration for
Indians to come to Australia.’

On democratic institutions being undermined in India,
the envoy said, ‘No democracy is perfect, Australia too is not perfect. BJP
does not control all the states of India and has suffered a significant defeat
only recently, is a sign of a healthy democracy in any country. We will
continue to raise concerns as and when required. I don’t think it will make a
difference to personal relationships, we have a level of trust and frankness in
our discussions.’

He said, ‘Economically we increasingly need each
other. Australia has elements that India requires to grow its economy like
critical minerals, rare earth which India and other nations need for
electronics, electric vehicles battery storage, a variety of manufacturing
products. India can choose to get it from a close neighbor or from a trusted
partner. We will assist India to grow its manufacturing as India is
manufacturing and selling more to the world. We have lowered tariffs on
cotton & wool.’

‘We have complimentary not competitive economies.
Australian companies have partnered with a couple of steel companies like Tata.
It benefits the employees in India and investors in Australia. Same with
renewable energy that’s providing employment to Australians and opportunities
to Indians.  Mahindra has invested in
Australia,’ Farrell informed. ‘When you do more things together not just trade
deal but it also benefits Indian tech companies, stopping double taxation by
Australia of their services and build trust.’

Farrell said, ‘We achieved a lot whether Comprehensive
Strategic Partnership, agreements on cyber & critical tech, water &
mining, Defence & mutual logistic support agreements were signed. Last year
our armed forces did more exercises than ever before.’  

On Australia banning 5G, not naming China he said, ‘Our
decision to lock out a country out of the 5 G system because we understood that
this technology was more of spreading disinformation, misinformation & that
the Operating systems that hang off should be made by people who abide by the
norms.’

 Tags: #BerryOFarrell, #IndiaAustraliarelations, #AustralianUniversities       #Comprehensivestrategicpartnership #Pritiprakashblog

Please follow and like us: