A big majority of Indians surveyed in a new opinion poll see China as a security threat, the director of the Australia India Institute, Professor Amitabh Mattoo said today. The poll, conducted on behalf of the A.I.I and the Lowy Institute for International Policy, provides intriguing insights into the issues concerning Indians today. While 83 per cent of those polled saw China as a threat, 63 per cent would like ties with Beijing to strengthen.

Distinguished Fellow of the Aii Wayne Lewis has been appointed as the Commissioner for Victoria in India. Premier Denis Napthine made the announcement yesterday of two key appointments, Lewis’ move to Bangalore, and Geoffrey Conaghan as the Agent-General for Victoria in London. “The roles of Commissioner and Agent-General are critical in leading and deepening Victoria’s ongoing relationships within key international regions,” Dr Napthine said. “I am delighted to appoint candidates of the calibre and experience of Mr Lewis and Mr Conaghan to these pivotal roles, which are based in our Bangalore and London offices respectively.

The Aii's Chair of Indian Studies Anthony D'Costa, in colaboration with Amiya Kumar Bagchi has released a new publication entitled 'Transformation and Development: The Political Economy of Transition in India and China.'

The test will be whether Australia and India can turn their converging interests into naval exercises, technology partnerships and shared maritime surveillance. A new plan for Australian defence policy has big implications for India. For New Delhi, the good news is that Canberra's 2013 Defence White Paper (WP), launched by Prime Minister Julia Gillard last week, sharply redefines Australia's region of strategic interest as being broadly the same as India's: the Indo-Pacific.