PA/02/14 22 January 2014
JAIPUR FESTIVAL SHOWCASES AUSTRALIAN-INDIAN TIES
Australia’s High Commissioner to India, Patrick Suckling, has congratulated the organisers of the Jaipur Literature Festival on another successful event in 2014.
Mr Suckling said the five-day festival, with participants from around the world, showcased the strong cultural connections and people-to-people links between Australia and India.
“The festival helped illuminate the historical, political and intellectual bonds between our two countries, as well as providing a platform for some fascinating broader debates,” Mr Suckling said.
India’s External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid and the Australian High Commissioner jointly launched the Australia India Institute’s Foreign Policy Series at the Festival.
“This series will offer important insights for understanding India’s place in the world, including its relationship with Australia,” Mr Suckling said.
“The public’s appetite for concise, accessible and intellectually stimulating analysis on Australia and India is growing rapidly, much like the broader bilateral relationship.”
Three Australian authors – Peter Stanley, Jack Turner and Robyn Davidson – took part in the festival, and delighted crowds with their stories, analysis and anecdotes.
“The Australian authors were warmly received at Jaipur Literature Festival, which is going from strength-to-strength,” Mr Suckling said.
Australia and India’s long-time defence co-operation was highlighted during a session with Australian military historian Peter Stanley, who spoke about Australians and Indians working hand in hand during the First World War.
Peter is writing a book 'Indians at Gallipoli' due for publication in 2015 and will return to New Delhi later this year to take part in a forum on Australian and Indian involvement in the conflict.