New Delhi, May 6, 2024 – The United States has been praised for maintaining a steadfast focus on the Indo-Pacific region despite significant global challenges, including the ongoing conflict in Eastern Europe and the turmoil in Gaza. This observation was made in a statement from a senior Australian official during a recent event in New Delhi, emphasizing that the Biden administration has upheld its commitment to prioritize the Indo-Pacific in its foreign policy and security agenda.
“We are very satisfied and gratified that the United States has maintained a local focus in the past,” the official stated, highlighting the resilience of the U.S. engagement in the Indo-Pacific region amid pressing global issues. “Everything that we see indicates that the Biden administration has kept its pledge to make the Indo-Pacific the first and most important part of its foreign policy and security strategy.”
Australia’s continued support for Indo-Pacific stability extends to its educational collaboration with India. As part of the evolving relationship, Australia is committed to enhancing the skills of Indian students through educational partnerships, offering an alternative to the traditional path of studying abroad in Australia. The Australian official noted that while there is a long history of Indian students traveling to Australia for higher education, the growing demand for quality education in India requires a more flexible and scalable approach.
“The sorts of volumes in which Indian students seek high-level Australian education cannot be satisfied solely by the number of Indian students who can travel to Australia,” the official explained. “The opportunity to establish foreign branch campuses in India is ideal at this moment. It enables a greater number of Indian students to access Australian-quality education at a lower cost and without the disruption caused by family separation.”
This approach aligns with India’s recent policy allowing foreign universities to establish campuses in the country, creating a more inclusive and accessible educational environment. The Australian official emphasized that the skilling agenda would be critical for regional stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific, serving as a bridge for deeper collaboration between India and Australia.
