New Leadership and Strategic Expansion for the Centre for Australia-India Relations
A Defining Chapter in the Bilateral Relationship
The Australia-India bilateral partnership is experiencing unprecedented momentum. As the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) deepens across economic, strategic, and cultural spheres, the Australian Government has taken a major stride in reinforcing the institutional bridge between the two nations.
Foreign Minister Senator Penny Wong has officially announced new high-profile appointments and reappointments to the Advisory Board of the Centre for Australia-India Relations (CAIR). The move brings a wave of elite expertise spanning green technology, hyperscale infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, and academic research into the core body driving Australia’s engagement with India.
The announcement arrives at a transformative epoch. With the India-born population now officially representing the single largest overseas-born demographic in Australia, the diaspora’s economic and civic influence has never been more pronounced. CAIR’s refreshed mandate signals a clear objective: translating diplomatic goodwill into tangible commercial, technological, and community outcomes.
The following distinguished Leaders are newly appointed members to the CAIR Advisory Board reflect the evolving priorities of the bilateral relationship, focusing heavily on critical technologies, advanced manufacturing, and sustainable innovation.
1. Professor Veena Sahajwalla AO
A world-renowned scientist, inventor, and Director of the Centre for Sustainable Materials Research and Technology (SMaRT) at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), Professor Sahajwalla is globally celebrated as the pioneer of “Green Steel”. A recipient of the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award, her appointment embeds cutting-edge recycling science, waste transformation, and circular economy research into CAIR’s core strategic focus at a time when both nations are aligning on clean energy transitions.
2. Robin Khuda
As the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of AirTrunk which is a hyperscale data centre giant across the Asia-Pacific, Robin Khuda brings unmatched commercial acumen in digital infrastructure, cloud computing, and technology investment. His presence on the board reinforces Australia’s ambition to tap into India’s booming digital economy and artificial intelligence ecosystem.
3. Faz Pollard
Director of Western Australia-based advanced manufacturing firms Adarsh Australia and Afaridan Plastics, Faz Pollard brings deep operational experience in engineering, product development, and cross-border commercial engagement. His expertise will be vital as Australia seeks to integrate its supply chains with India’s rapidly growing manufacturing base.
In addition to these new appointments, the Minister confirmed the reappointment of four incumbent board members who have been central to shaping CAIR’s early successes:
• Amrit Gill, CEO of Theatre Network Australia;
• Catriona Jackson, former CEO of Universities Australia and higher education policy specialist;
• Mitu Bhowmick Lange AM, Founder of Mind-Blowing Films and premier cultural distributor; and
• Amit Singh, Managing Partner of Mandala Partners and former Senior Economic Advisor to the Prime Minister.
Under the continued leadership of Advisory Board Chair Swati Dave, alongside board members Dr. Helen Nugent AC, Steve Waugh AO, and DFAT Secretary Jan Adams AO PSM, the board represents one of the most formidable collections of strategic intellect in Australian public policy today.
CAIR’s Strategic Pillars: Bridging Policy, Business, and Diaspora
Established as a flagship platform by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, CAIR serves as a national nexus designed to scale up Australia’s capability to engage with India. Operating under the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the Centre’s agenda centers around key strategic priorities:
1. Promoting Policy Dialogue & Indo-Pacific Security: Elevating strategic alignment between New Delhi and Canberra amid complex geopolitical shifts in the Indo-Pacific.
2. Building India Business Literacy: Assisting Australian businesses in navigating India’s vast market realities, leveraging frameworks like the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) and the broader Roadmap for Economic Engagement.
3. Deepening Education, Tech & Cultural Connections: Expanding research collaborations, clean technology partnerships, and artistic exchanges.
4. Harnessing the Diaspora as a National Asset: Actively integrating Indian-Australian leaders into formal bilateral trade, investment, and policy discussions.
Through its signature Maitri (Friendship) Programs—which include Maitri Grants, Scholarships, and Fellowships—the Centre is pouring millions into cross-cultural theatre, joint academic research, and innovative clean-tech ventures.
The Diaspora: From Demographic Shift to National Asset
For the Indian diaspora in Australia, CAIR’s expanding mandate is more than a policy exercise—it is institutional validation of their contribution to modern Australia.
“The strengthening of institutional links between the two countries reflects the increasingly vital role of the diaspora,” noted foreign affairs analysts following the announcement. Indian-Australians are no longer viewed simply through the lens of migration statistics, but as economic multipliers, cultural ambassadors, and key drivers of innovation.
With diplomatic footprints expanding—marked by Australia’s mission in Bengaluru and India’s consulate in Brisbane—and high-level exchanges occurring regularly between ministers, the architecture connecting the two democracies has never been stronger.
As CAIR embarks on this next phase of strategic growth under its refreshed board, the message for the readers of Australian Indian Times is clear: the Australia-India partnership is no longer just about potential—it is about execution, leadership, and a shared vision for the Indo-Pacific.
