Chris Bowen is all praise for Indian Diaspora

By Neena Badhwar

Senior Labor leader and Shadow Treasurer Chris Bowen has been to India five times, but, he says, “India still remains a mystery to me.”

The Federal Member for Fairfield visited India recently to attend the 3rd Annual Australia India Leadership dialogue along with Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong.

“Although FTA (Free Trade Agreement) with India is on the backburner, India is our second biggest market for education services and offers huge potential for Australian trade. India is one of the top ten trading partners of Australia and is very important, according to the Australia India Economic Relations report presented at the dialogue,” Mr Bowen said to TIDU.

Besides bilateral trade with Australia, Chris Bowen emphasised Indian role as a linchpin in maintaining regional security.

The Shadow Treasure praised Indian Diaspora in Australia as an important taskforce: “The Indian diaspora is of highly skilled and business savvy Australians of Indian heritage. They are a group of people, both a resource for Australia to tap into and a vehicle to deeper understanding of the region.

“India is now in the top two source countries of permanent migrants to Australia every year. Their involvement is important. I understand that Australia’s bilateral relationship with India matters deeply to Australia’s place and prosperity in this region, but it is much more than that,” he said.

Mr Bowen added that Labor government will always support India to be included as an APEC member.

After the leadership dialogue, Mr Bowen went to Ahmedabad for a visit to the Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple accompanied by state Chief Secretary, Dr Jagdip Narayan Singh.

“It was a very peaceful and spiritual experience,” Mr Bowen said thanking the hosts.

“I understand that a 25-acre Swaminarayan temple is being built in my electorate for the Hindu community in Western Sydney,” Chris Bowen said.

 

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