From the editor’s desk Evolution of India-US relations

Reaching new heights in Modi-Biden era

New visa rules will encourage Indian students

The Australian government’s move that from July 1, 2023, Indian graduates from Australian tertiary institutions can apply to work in Australia for up to eight years, is a welcome one. The new visa rule follows the culmination of a bilateral agreement signed between India and Australia in May in 2023.The implementation of the agreement will benefit many Indian students who will now be able to study and support themselves financially with work in Australia. This is in keeping with the spirit of strong relations between Australia and India. One of the important features of this agreement is the Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme (MATES). The fact that this programme will give opportunities to 3,000 spots annually for young professionals from India to spend two years in Australia without needing a visa sponsorship is a great initiative that will encourage more aspiring students to arrive in Australia and study. Moreover, the top rankings which some of Australia’s universities have bagged in the QS University Rankings, will encourage more Indian students to come to Australia for studies.

Also, that Australians aiming to conduct research in India can now apply for an S-5 visa, granting them a stay in India for up to three years or for the duration of their research project is a right step in strengthening bilateral relations. More specifically, as media reports suggest, the MATES visa is a temporary visa programme that accommodates recent graduates from established and recognised Indian universities with degrees in specialised fields of study. These initiatives will go a long way in further strengthening Australia and India relations taking it to a new dimension.

In this connection, as media reports say, from July 1, 2023, international higher education graduates with requisite qualifications will be granted an extra two years of post-study work rights. This implies that now eligible international higher education graduates will benefit from an additional two years on their Temporary Graduate Visa. This important initiative is in addition to the existing additional one to two years of work rights for eligible students who study, live and work in regional areas. This is certainly a welcome step in fortifying bilateral relations.

Australia has always been at the forefront of addressing the nation’s workforce requirements and the needs of those who offer their work for the benefit of the nation. This is precisely why Australia relaxed student visa work restrictions throughout the pandemic, which was subsequently removed in January 2022 to pave the way for primary and secondary student visa holders to work over their normal limit of 40 hours per fortnight, a step that was taken with a view to dealing with workforce shortages.

But from July 1, work restrictions will be back for all student visa holders except those in the aged care sector, though it will now be capped at the increased rate of 48 hours per fortnight from an earlier cap of 40 hours. There is a well thought out plan for doing so. It is important that the student visa holders must focus on their education, along with being able to support themselves financially. Moreover, with studies they will also receive valuable work experience, which is of utmost importance these days for further employment. Also Australia’s workforce needs will be fulfilled, which is an added benefit for all.

Significantly, according to media reports, keeping in view the needs of this sector, the student visa holders who are already employed in the aged care sector as on May 9, 2023, can continue to work unrestricted hours in the aged care sector until December 31, 2023. This is also a prudent step taken in the interest of this sector, as also in the interest of those who are working in this sector.

Australia’s approach to policy measures related to education, employment , healthcare and other pertinent sectors have always been keeping in view the interests of all those who are part of these sectors. The measures taken by the government has been both for fulfilling the needs of the present and also for the future. The country prioritizes education and employment, and India has a special place given the fact that Australia continues to be one of the favourite places where Indian students like to go in large numbers to enhance their career. The recent deals between Australia and India in the fields of education are setting the benchmark for more initiatives that will benefit both the countries. There is another advantage of such initiatives. As more youths reach Australia from India to study and work there, there is an opportunity for more people-to-people contact. This augurs well for Australia and India relations.

By Rabindra Mukherji

When Narendra Modi became India’s Prime Minister, the IndiaUS relations were still being conducted with a lot of caution. Going back in time, since India’s Independence, India aligned more towards the Soviet Union despite the fact that officially India was one of the founding members of the non-aligned movement. Nehru’s economic policy was more attracted to the Soviet socialist model than the capitalist model of the US. In those circumstances, when India was reeling under extreme poverty and low productivity levels, it was pertinent that India adopted a socialist model that protected its farmers and manufacturers. In the conduct of foreign policy, India’s approach was not to align with any of the two blocs – the USSR bloc and the US-led bloc. But what was apparent even during the Cold War days, was India’s heavy dependence on Soviet Union and its unofficial aligning with the USSR. That was of course the need of the hour then. Even after Nehru, the subsequent governments, especially during the government of Indira Gandhi, the Soviet model of economic development, and a foreign policy heavily aligned towards the USSR continued. This had of course irked the US, and Pakistan took the advantage by being openly aligned to the US. But those days were different, especially if we consider India as a nation which was taking every step internationally with a lot of caution, and sometimes with little conviction of its potential. It was natural because India became Independent after having had to tolerate the atrocities and injustices of several years of foreign rule.

Now the situation is different. The India-US relations began to improve after both India and the US made a renewed effort to understand each other’s positions. The collapse of the USSR in 1990’s meant India needed to look beyond Russia for support in the international arena. A shift in India’s foreign policy initiatives was apparent during the reign of Dr Manmohan Singh’s government. But even during Dr Manmohan Singh’s era, India and the US relations were one full of caution lacking in the sort of confidence in partnership between the two countries that is now apparent. Therefore the Modi government had to be very clear of what India needed to do in a fast changing geopolitical environment. The non-aligned movement seemed to have lost its relevance and significance since it was understood that having an ambivalent approach in international politics was no longer an option for the government. With two belligerent neighbours in China and Pakistan, India had to start asserting itself in international forums. In the first two years of the Modi government, India and the US began their political exchanges with a calibrated approach, each side awaiting and watching closely the response of the other. But the intentions from both sides had been clear. Both India and the US wanted to transform bilateral relations leaving the hangover of the past not-so-friendly relations behind them. The Indian Prime Minister’s recent visit to the US must be seen as a culmination of his government’s relentless effort to take India-US relations to a new dimension altogether. US President Biden is just the right leader who has always supported India in the past, and continues to accord importance to relations with India.

Interestingly, the current era of US–India relations did not start as smoothly as one would expect. It all began after former US President Bill Clinton’s administration did not succeed in containing India by imposing sanctions on it after India conducted nuclear tests in 1998.

The then Prime Minister of India

Atal Bihari Vajpayee did not give in to the US pressure, and India emerged from these sanctions with a renewed conviction of its potential to deal with any challenge. The US gradually began to understand India’s position and adopted a policy of accommodation towards India. This started a new chapter of mutual understanding and strategic partnership between the two countries.

But it goes to the credit of Modi government that leaving aside the baggage of the past not-sosavoury relations with the US, which were not very remarkable then, Modi began an effort to strengthen bilateral relations with the US. This was essential, for in the new world order after the Soviet collapse, and with a strong China emerging, India needed the support of the US in all international forums. This became obvious when Modi made a state visit to the United States in September 2014 on the invitation of President Obama. When Obama became the chief guest at the Republic Day Parade in New Delhi in January 2015, the first US President, trajectory of the IndiaUS relations was now becoming apparent.

Modi’s recent state visit to the US is a culmination of his government’s efforts to forge a strong relationship with the US, a relationship that is built on rock solid foundations of mutual trust and understanding of each other’s positions, both domestically and internationally. Both US President Biden and Indian Prime Minister Modi believe in talking frankly about various issues of international importance. Addressing the US Congress this time around, Modi reminded the Congressmen of what India is and stands for. He underscored the common vision that both India and the US share. India’s vision, just like that of the US, goes beyond the welfare of their respective countries. Both the countries work for the welfare of the whole world, and India has time and again shown it through its humanitarian works wherever such acts were needed, be that during the Covid-19 pandemic or the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria more recently. The US now understands India, its people and its culture. The defence agreements that India and the US signed during Modi’s recent US visit will not only enhance India’s defence capabilities but also solidify its position as a dependable partner of the US for advanced technology collaborations. Modi’s ‘Make in India’ policy is in sync with the deals India has had with the US. The semiconductor production deals with the US have elevated India to a position where it can become a global manufacturing hub for advanced technologies. These deals with the US will give a boost to India’s economy, and encourage innovation and technological progress in India. Also, the US recognizes India as an important partner for the US in maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific.