Varghese to rebuild Aus-India ties 'shaken' by student attacks

Natasha Chaku
Sydney, Jul 26 (PTI) Armed with an "ambitious but
do-able" agenda, Australia's Indian-origin High Commissioner-
designate Peter Varghese heads to Indian capital New Delhi
next month to "reinforce" the bilateral ties that had been
"shaken" by the recent attacks here on students from the
community.

"India is moving towards a prominent position
internationally and so, will impinge on everyone's agenda.
This emerging economy has all the makings of a global
powerhouse, with a bigger and more exciting role to play and
we will all see more of it," the former top spy told
Sydney-based local Indian newspaper 'Indian Link'.

The 53-year-old Kenya-born Malayali, who is the first
ethnic Indian to be named as High Commissioner to New Delhi,
disputes his appointment as a damage control exercise, saying
the decision was "taken well before" the recent "unfortunate
events" unfolded.

Varghese, who will take over in August, said one of his
"priority tasks" will be to "reinforce the bilateral equations
that have been shaken up by the recent student issue."

"It has been a difficult period and short-term impact (on
bilateral ties) will be there," he said referring to the 22
attacks on Indian students in Sydney and Melbourne that
sparked an outrage in India.

Sounding an optimistic tone, he said, "I am very positive
that our long-term relationship with recover and thrive".

"Australia does offer high quality education at a very
affordable price tag and I'm convinced the rapidly growing
Indian market will continue to take advantage of this,"
Varghese, who was the Director General of the Office of
National Assessments, told the paper.

"Already there has been a better understanding in many
quarters, There have been enhanced efforts by police forces
and the educational institutions themselves have put in better
security and support measures. A system review and
strengthening is also currently underway so I am very hopeful
that only good will emerge out of this," he said.

He expects to be repeatedly dogged by the 'racism in
Australia' issue, but hopes to explain the situation and put
it in perspective.

Personally for him, it is an "exciting professional
posting", as the government is hoping to "bring India into the
front rank of diplomatic ties," he said.

Varghese, a close advisor to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd,
said he believes that his appointment was due to the
recognition of the very fact that "India was growing economic
and strategic importance and influence."

The High-Commissioner designate said he wanted to "work
on several layers and push for a richer texture as the
relationship matures." His immediate agenda will include,
trade, security dialogue, uranium and student issue. PTI NC
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