FICQ Chai with the High Commissioner of India

From India News NewsDesk:

On 24th April 2023, FICQ organized a Chai with a forum for all community leaders to come together and meet the High Commissioner of India to Australia, Hon. Mr. Manpreet Vohra.

His excellency Mr. Manpreet Vohra gave an insightful speech highlighting the important events happening in regard to the bilateral trade agreement ECTA signed by the two countries India and Australia. He also mentioned the new Air India direct flight route established between Melbourne and Mumbai and Qantas adding Bangalore to Sydney which has made travel easier to and from the southern part of India. He also said that more flights will be added and more cities in Australia will be connected in the near future.

Both Air India and Qantas have increased flight destinations to and from India and Australia. He also mentioned that the CEO’s Forum was a huge success, which was long due and it happened at the right time when Prime Minister Albanese was in India where the two Prime Ministers also met. He says,” It is really an honor and for the first time ever that a Prime Minister of any country has visited India Thrice. PM Albanese will be visiting India in May or June as well as in December this year. PM Modi will also be visiting Australia in May.” Talking about the recent temple vandalism situation he said that it was unfortunate that a few people chose to act in a certain way, however, he congratulated the Indian diaspora and the local Police in Brisbane for having been vigilant and taking the right steps in getting the situation under control. He also thanked and appreciated the work of the Hon. Consul. Mrs. Archana Singh to have kept the situation under control in Brisbane. Youth and students have always been an issue for India and Australia. He refuted that any ban was being implemented by any University in Australia regarding students coming from India. However, he did condemn those who have tried to enter Australia through unscrupulous means. He also mentioned that Australia has now agreed to recognize the certificates, degrees, and qualifications received by students and diaspora seeking employment in Australia. This will definitely increase the mobility of youth and younger generations between India and Australia.

Youth is the fastest-growing population in India and also the largest demographic population of the Indian diaspora in Australia today.

Hon. High Commissioner Manpreet Vohra vouches for Indian culture and has now become almost mainstream. Most cities celebrate Indian festivals and have art and cultural programs, including the city of Darwin. The film industry of India is also gearing up to look at Australia as a location for films to be shot and made. Many restrictions have been lifted so that Indian filmmakers could make Australian cities their destination for shooting films.

Leaders of various organizations in Brisbane were present at this meeting , who also got the chance to ask questions regarding pressing issues in the community, and mix and mingle with His Excellency Mr. Manpreet Vohra. One of the talked about issues for Indians for a long time has been to make Diwali Day a National Holiday. To which High Commissioner Manpreet Vohra responded positively, and said that it might just happen in the near future. He also said to keep a lookout for the first Mayor of the City in Australia to be of Indian origin.

To know more about the hon. High Commissioner Manpreet Vohra’s speech visit India News Youtube channel https://youtu.be/ UXsMSFjel09Y

The article was written by India News Community News Editor Amrita Deshpande