Damon Mcknight
Australians and Indians have had a complex relationship, with Indian-Australians facing racism and violence, particularly during the 2009-2010 student attacks in Melbourne. Despite this, a poll by the Lowy Institute found that Indians hold relatively warm feelings towards Australia, ranking it fourth out of 22 countries. Indians admire Australia's society, governance, and universities, and 60% consider it a safe country. Australians, on the other hand, have a mediocre level of trust in India due to differing views on Ukraine and leadership. They prioritise trade and investment with India but are less enthusiastic about defence and regional security ties. While some Australians are friendly towards immigrants, others may engage in ethnic discrimination. Overall, the relationship between the two countries is evolving, with potential for improved ties in the future.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| General perception of Australia | Indians hold relatively warm feelings towards Australia (56 on a scale of 0-100) |
| Australia's society and governance | 60% of Indians think it would be better if India's government and society worked more like Australia's |
| Safety for Indian students | 62% of Indians consider Australia a dangerous place for Indian students, although 53% consider it safer than it was a few years ago |
| Safety in general | 49% of Indians consider Australia a safe country |
| Education | 75% of Indians think Australia is a good place to be educated, ranking second after the United States |
| Country well-disposed to India | 63% |
| Similar security interests | 59% |
| Good supplier of energy and resources | 60% |
| Good supplier of agricultural products | 57% |
| Importance of selling uranium to India | 70% of Indians think it is important to Australia's relations with India |
| Cricket as a diplomatic tool | 75% of Indians think cricket projects a positive image of Australia and helps the two countries grow closer |
| Cricket as a cause of friction | 35% |
| Racism | Indian Australians have long been subjected to racism and discrimination |
| Political voice | The Indian diaspora in Australia could do more to have a political voice that is taken seriously |
| Indian community in Australia | The Indian community in Australia is the largest group within the Indian diaspora, with 783,958 persons declaring Indian ancestry at the 2021 census, representing 3.1% of the Australian population |
| Indian students in Australia | 70,000 Indian students were studying in Australian universities and colleges in 2017-18 |
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What You'll Learn
Australians are viewed as friendly and kind
Australians are generally viewed as friendly and kind by Indians, with a majority holding relatively warm feelings towards the country and its people. This positive perception is reflected in a poll conducted by the Lowy Institute, where India ranked Australia fourth out of 22 countries in terms of how warmly Indians feel towards other nations. Sixty per cent of Indians surveyed believe that India could benefit from emulating Australia's governance and societal structures, indicating a certain level of admiration for the country's social and political systems.
Cricket, a shared passion between the two nations, also contributes to the positive image of Australians in India. Three-quarters of Indians polled believe that cricket projects a positive image of Australia and helps foster closer ties between the countries. This suggests that Australians are not only viewed favourably but also respected for their cultural and sporting influence.
However, it is important to acknowledge that there have been historical challenges in the relationship between the two countries. In 2009-2010, a series of attacks on Indian students in Melbourne brought to light the issue of racism and discrimination faced by the Indian-Australian community. These incidents caused concern in India, with 62% of Indians considering Australia dangerous for Indian students at the time. Despite improvements in recent years, with 53% deeming it safer now, there are still lingering reservations about the safety of Indian students in Australia.
The Indian diaspora in Australia has been subjected to racism and discrimination, often feeling singled out and perceived as an "other." Even before the pandemic, Indian-Australians experienced high levels of subtle racism, including being told to "go back to where they came from" and facing questions about their qualifications. Despite their growing numbers and increasing representation in media and politics, Indian-Australians still struggle to feel fully included in the mainstream Australian public sphere, as evidenced by the recent travel ban imposed on flights from India during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite these challenges, there are positive signs of improving relations and a growing Indian-Australian community. Indians are the fastest-growing community in Australia, with the highest average education level among migrant groups. They are well-integrated, with Indian language programmes, dance schools, and ethnic publications in all major cities. The Australia-India relationship is evolving, and Indians generally view Australians as friendly and kind, even as they continue to advocate for greater inclusion and understanding.
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Australia is well-liked in India
One notable finding was that Indians hold relatively warm feelings towards Australia, ranking it fourth out of 22 countries in the survey. This indicates a positive perception of Australia among Indians, with a score of 56 out of 100 on a warmth scale. This warmth is also reflected in the belief that Australia is well-disposed towards India, with 63% of Indians agreeing with this statement.
Furthermore, the poll highlighted the admiration Indians have for Australia's society, governance, and universities. Sixty per cent of Indians surveyed thought it would be beneficial if India's government and society mirrored Australia's. Additionally, Australia is regarded as a favourable destination for education, ranking second only to the United States as a preferred place to study. Seventy-five per cent of Indians surveyed recognised Australia's educational reputation, placing it above countries like Canada, Singapore, Britain, and Germany.
Cricket also plays a role in fostering positive Australia-India relations. Three-quarters of Indians believe that cricket projects a positive image of both countries and helps strengthen their bilateral relationship. While cricket can sometimes cause friction, as noted by 35% of respondents, it largely contributes to diplomatic goodwill.
Additionally, there is a perception among Indians that Australia can be a supplier of essential resources. Sixty per cent of respondents view Australia as a good provider of energy and other resources, while 57% acknowledge its capacity to supply quality agricultural products. These findings underscore the recognition of Australia's capacity to meet important needs.
In conclusion, the poll results indicate that Australia is well-regarded in India, with Indians expressing warmth, admiration, and a desire for closer ties across various dimensions, including societal, educational, diplomatic, and economic spheres.
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Indians believe Australia has a good education system
According to a poll by the Lowy Institute, 75% of Indians consider Australia a good place to be educated, with only the United States ranking higher. Indians hold relatively warm feelings towards Australia, ranking fourth out of 22 countries in the survey. While there are concerns about previous crimes against Indian students, with 62% considering Australia dangerous in this regard, 53% believe it is safer than in previous years, and 49% consider Australia generally safe.
Indians' positive perception of Australia's education system is further supported by their views on Australian universities. In the same poll, Indians expressed admiration for Australia's universities, with only the United States scoring much higher in their esteem. This suggests that Indians recognize the quality of higher education in Australia.
However, it is important to note that Indians are also astute consumers of information about Australia's education system and are aware of certain issues. They recognize the differences in educational rankings, with some Indians concerned about Australia's declining PISA scores, indicating a perception of decreasing educational performance. Additionally, Indians are concerned about educational inequality, policy and funding issues, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on vocational workers, including reports of wage theft.
Despite these concerns, Indians continue to view Australia's education system favourably. This may be due to the perceived advantages of the Australian system, such as more modern teaching methods, interactive and physical learning lessons, and continuous assessment practices, which differ from India's traditional exam-based approach. Australian teachers have more independence, and their system promotes a more personalized approach to education, allowing for a better focus on individual student performance.
In conclusion, Indians generally believe that Australia has a good education system, as evidenced by their positive perceptions and the high ranking of Australia as an education destination. However, they are also aware of certain challenges and concerns within the Australian education landscape.
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Australia-India relations are strong
Australia and India have strong and growing strategic, economic, and community ties. The two countries have a long history of military relations, with Indian soldiers fighting alongside Australian soldiers in both World Wars. In recent years, there have been closer security relations, including a Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation in 2009.
The Australia-India relationship was officially upgraded to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in June 2020. The two countries have strong diplomatic relations, with Australia having five diplomatic missions in India, including the Australian High Commission based in New Delhi and Consulate Generals located in Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, and Mumbai.
There is also a strong economic relationship between the two countries. India was Australia's fourth-largest export market and fifth-largest trading partner in 2023, with two-way trade reaching $49 billion. Australian investment in India has been significant, totalling $17.6 billion, while Indian investment in Australia reached $34.5 billion. The two countries have joined forces to accelerate the production and deployment of renewable energy technologies, creating new economic opportunities and helping to reduce global emissions.
Cultural exchange and community ties between the two countries are also strong. Almost one million Australians trace their heritage to India, and the Indian-Australian community is Australia's second-largest and fastest-growing overseas-born group. There are initiatives in place to further strengthen these ties, such as the Australia India Leadership Dialogue and Australia India Youth Dialogue, which bring together leaders and emerging leaders from both nations to address shared challenges and explore areas for cooperation.
Overall, Australia-India relations are strong and continue to grow, with close partnerships in various sectors, including military, economic, and community engagement.
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Australians think Indians are less approachable
Australians' perceptions of Indians have been marred by racist attitudes and behaviours. While the Indian-Australian community is growing in size, with Indians being the largest source of new permanent annual migrants to Australia in 2017-18, they are still largely perceived as an "other". This perception of Indians as outsiders has led to their marginalization and exclusion from the mainstream Australian public sphere.
Indian Australians have long been subjected to racism and discrimination in Australia. Even before the pandemic, Indian Australians reported experiencing high levels of "subtle racism" in their daily lives. This includes being told to "go back to where you came from" and facing questions about their qualifications for jobs that are not considered stereotypically Indian. In 2009-10, a series of violent attacks on Indian students in Melbourne sparked widespread protests, negative media coverage, and a decline in student enrolment numbers. These racially motivated attacks prompted the Australian government to issue an apology and work to repair diplomatic relations with India. Despite this, concerns about the safety of Indian students in Australia persist, with 62% of Indians still considering Australia a dangerous place for Indian students.
The Australian government's travel ban on flights from India during the COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated feelings of discrimination and marginalization among Indian Australians. The punitive nature of the ban, which included hefty fines and jail time for Australian citizens attempting to return home, was criticized as racist. This incident highlighted the Australian government's failure to address negative perceptions of its multicultural communities and ensure the inclusion and well-being of its Indian Australian citizens.
While Indians generally hold warm feelings towards Australia, with 60% considering it a safe country, the lingering impact of previous crimes against Indian students cannot be overlooked. It is crucial for Australia to address these issues and foster a more welcoming and inclusive environment for its Indian residents and visitors to overcome the perception of Indians as unapproachable.
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Frequently asked questions
Indians hold relatively warm feelings towards Australia, ranking it fourth out of 22 countries in a survey. Sixty per cent of Indians surveyed think it would be better if India's government and society worked more like Australia's. However, there are lingering concerns about previous crimes against Indian students, with 62% of Indians deeming Australia a dangerous place for them.
Indians have a mixed perception of Australians. While some believe Australians are racist, others think they are less racist towards Indians compared to other countries, as they accept Indian students and workers openly. Indians also believe Australians are highly competitive, very good at sports, and kind-hearted.
Indians are often surprised by the Australian climate, expecting it to be sunny all year round. They are also intrigued by the variety of beer sizes, the informality of Australians, their love for rivalry and competition, and their unique fashion choices, such as wearing "thongs" at social functions.
