After returning from a week-long visit to India, Senator Dave Sharma shared his reflections via LinkedIn on the nation’s vibrant energy and optimism.
Describing India as a country with a “can-do” attitude, Senator Sharma underscored its impressive achievement in conducting democratic elections, reinforcing the robustness of the world’s largest democracy.
During his visit, Senator Sharma met with Indian parliamentarians, civil society leaders, and journalists, gaining insights into India’s future trajectory and ambitions.
Senator Sharma noted an enthusiastic appetite among Indian leaders, including India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, to strengthen relations with Australia.
According to Senator Sharma, India highly values the Quad alliance and aligns with Australia on maintaining stability in the Indo-Pacific. The Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), he noted, has opened up economic opportunities that both nations are eager to explore.
Senator Sharma also lauded India’s advancements in technology and innovation, with digital platforms in identity verification, health records, and payments driving growth, efficiency, and service access. Renewable energy investments, he said, are furthering India’s efforts to reduce emissions intensity amid rapid economic expansion.
A major shift in India’s foreign policy approach was also observed, as it moves towards an interest-based, rather than ideology-based, stance. This evolution, Senator Sharma believes, enables India to adopt liberalised trade policies and aim for a more constructive global role.
Despite facing developmental challenges, Senator Sharma expressed optimism for India’s future. As the fastest-growing major economy and the fifth largest globally, he highlighted India’s favourable demographics, strong institutions, and hunger for technological advancement as factors making its outlook promising.
In 2023, Dave Sharma was sworn in as a senator for New South Wales, filling the vacancy left by former Liberal Senator Marise Payne. With a notable background in parliamentary and diplomatic roles, including his term as the MP for Wentworth (2019–2022), Sharma was selected by the NSW Parliament on 30 November 2023. His expertise in foreign affairs, defence, and trade enhances his capacity to contribute effectively to the Senate, and his appointment is viewed as a valuable addition to Australia’s Federal Parliament.
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