The Australia India Business Council (AIBC) has announced the election of Deepak-Raj Gupta OAM as its new National Chair and Amritha Zacharia as National Vice Chair, each serving a two-year term.
Newly elected Chair Gupta expressed his gratitude, saying,
“I am deeply honoured to lead AIBC into its next chapter. Together, we will enable collaboration, drive growth, and amplify the voice of our members while strengthening the Australia-India relationship.”
Agra-born and Shimla-educated Gupta served as the first India-born member of the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly (2019–2020), representing Yerrabi for the Labor Party. Taking his oath on the Bhagawad Gita, he worked across justice, economic development, climate strategy, and tourism.
A strong advocate for India’s cultural diversity, Gupta has led numerous initiatives, including founding the Canberra India Council and serving as President of the India Australia Association of Canberra. He also led the ACT Chapter of the Australia India Business Council for a decade and participated in ACT trade delegations to India in 2015 and 2019.
Zacharia echoed his sentiments, stating,
“As National Vice Chair, I aim to bring fresh perspectives and foster dynamic partnerships to empower our members in advancing the Australia-India business corridor.”
Zacharia, a passionate advocate for universal education, has spent two decades driving innovation, business transformation, and strategic growth. She has held leadership roles in consulting firms, worked with mining giant Rio Tinto, and advised over 150 multinationals globally.
Currently leading APAC Client Advocacy, Strategy & Operations at Gartner, Amritha also serves as a Non-Executive Director for incluude, a Diversity and Inclusion learning platform. A CPA and University of Sydney Business School graduate, she has completed advanced leadership and finance programs, underscoring her commitment to equipping businesses and education sectors for the future of work.
The announcement comes as AIBC honours the achievements of outgoing leaders Jodi McKay and Ravneet Pawha.
Under their leadership, the Council navigated a transformative period marked by the signing of the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), the deepening of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and the strengthening of bilateral trade and cultural exchanges.
Reflecting on her tenure, McKay said,
“It has been an honour to lead AIBC during such a transformative time. I am confident the new leadership will build on our achievements and continue to strengthen ties between our two nations.”
Founded in 1986 by the governments of Australia and India, AIBC plays a pivotal role in fostering trade, investment, and cultural ties between the two nations through its state chapters and Indian presence. As AIBC looks to the future, the new leadership team is poised to further solidify its role as a cornerstone of the Australia-India economic relationship.
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