I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet, and I pay my respects to their elders past, present and emerging.

Good evening, everyone – namaskar.

It’s such a pleasure to be here with you all.

I’d like to thank the India Australia Business & Community Alliance for hosting tonight’s awards, and doing so much to strengthen Australia’s relationship with India over the past decade.

I also acknowledge the High Commissioner of India to Australia, His Excellency Mr Gopal Baglay.

Australia’s Minister for Trade and Tourism, Senator Don Farrell and ACT Chief Minister, Andrew Barr.

Tonight is an opportunity to celebrate the enduring friendship between Australia and India and to honour some of the outstanding people who make our relationship even stronger.

Indian-Australians are creating their own success in so many fields of endeavour.

From business and enterprise to science, culture, sport and the arts, Australia’s large and growing Indian communities add so much dynamism and talent to our country.

You enrich who and what were as a nation, in all of our promise and all of our possibility, continuing a wonderful and proud story that has been written by generations of Indian-Australians.

And it is a story that continues.

It is a story that will be an integral part of our future. The better future that you show us is possible through the sheer power of your example.

Over the past ten years, these Awards have recognised the best of the best, showcasing some 1,700 success stories promoting exchange and collaboration between our two countries and building a large alumni network that includes many business and community leaders.

I’m pleased to say that this year’s awards come at a time when the potential for growth in the all-important Australia-India relationship has never been greater.

We’re comprehensive strategic partners.

We’re creating new opportunities for businesses through our Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement – something we hope to build on with a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement.

India is Australia’s fifth-largest trading partner, with two-way trade totalling almost $50 billion last year.

But I know we’re capable of even more.

There’s so much untapped potential.

In fact, our India Economic Strategy says India has more growth opportunities for Australian businesses than any other market to 2035.

It’s not hard to see why.

India is already the world’s largest nation by population – and it’s on track to be the world’s third-largest economy by the end of this decade.

Australia welcomes this.

India’s emergence as an economic giant is something we can contribute to, and benefit from.

That’s why we’re delivering a new roadmap for our economic engagement with India, focusing and accelerating our efforts in the most promising sectors and exploring innovative ways to grow our relationship in a way that brings benefit to both our nations.

Just as importantly, we want to invest in our greatest resource of all: our people.

It’s people like you who will move the relationship forward in the years ahead.

You’re the ones with the drive, expertise, language skills, networks and entrepreneurial mindset to open doors for businesses and governments alike.

You know how to navigate the cultures of our two countries.

And you create the personal connections that truly bind us.

In the words of Andrew Charlton, the Member for Parramatta and Chair of the Parliamentary Friends of India –

“The Indian diaspora has animated Australia’s relationship with India and built a human bridge between our two nations.”

I couldn’t agree more.

Last year, Andrew and I visited Harris Park, otherwise known as Sydney’s Little India.

We were joined by Communications Minister Michelle Rowland, who represents the neighbouring seat of Greenway.

The welcome we received was one of great warmth and hospitality.

The energy and generosity of our Australian-Indian community is truly second to none.

And over the years, you’ve blossomed into an extraordinary and diverse community, now numbering more than one million Australians.

You’re our fastest-growing large migrant community – and the second-largest overseas-born migrant group.

India is also our second-largest source of international students.

International education is an important asset to our country.

But international education is not a one-way street.

Not everyone can afford to come to Australia to study.

But Australian universities can go to them.

And that’s exactly what is happening.

Last year it was announced that Deakin University and the University of Wollongong would establish campuses in India’s GIFT City in Gujarat.

Both universities are the first foreign universities to set up campuses in India, representing a significant milestone in the Australia-India relationship.

It’s good for Indian students and good for Australian universities, and great for our relationship.

People of Indian heritage are contributing their energy, enterprise and values to Australia, strengthening the great tapestry of our multicultural society thread by thread.

And deepening the relationship between our nations, through those direct business to business connections.

Building these networks is a key focus of the Centre for Australia India Relations and I’m very pleased that they are partnering with Cricket Australia to host a significant business delegation from India during this summer’s Border-Gavaskar series.

Canberra will be part of this with Manuka Oval hosting the first match between India and the PM’s XI for 20 years.

On the field, Australia and India compete to be the best in the world.

Off the field, we work together to build a better world.

Today, our relationship is stronger, deeper, and more consequential than ever before.

And our people aren’t just at the heart of it – they are the heart of it.

Tonight’s finalists are magnificent representatives of our Indian-Australian communities.

Through your energy and innovation, you’re helping advance the Australia-India relationship.

And through your drive and entrepreneurialism, you’re bringing the benefits and riches of a beautiful and diverse culture to our country.

You’re making Australia better.

Stronger.

And more inclusive.

And you’re following in the footsteps of alumni who are making an incredible impact across our society – in fields as diverse as health, hospitality, education, cybersecurity, and more.

So to all of you here tonight, I want to say thank you – and keep doing what you’re doing.

Friends, yesterday, India celebrated its 78th Independence Day. And it is so deeply worth celebrating.

More than three quarters of century on from that most extraordinary of days, India is the world’s largest democracy, the fastest-growing major economy, and a nation delivering on its vast social and economic promise.

With this opportunity, Australia and India have a lot to offer each other.

That is why I have already visited India twice as Prime Minister.

That’s why I’m determined – just as Prime Minister Modi is – to make sure our friendship goes from strength to strength.

To keep turning the deep affection between us into tangible benefits for our people and economies.

So I commend the IABCA on a decade devoted to strengthening the ties between our nations.

I wish you all an enjoyable evening, and many years of business and personal success to come.

Dhanyavaad.

Thank you.