Inaugural Maitri Fellowships program

In New Delhi, I announced the inaugural Maitri Fellowships program to support the two-way exchange of Australian and Indian researchers.

These foreign and trade policy placements in Australia and India will build academic capacity and deepen understanding of contemporary perspectives in each country.

Research will focus on economic trends and issues of geostrategic interest to Australia and India.

Eligible Australian institutions are invited to nominate experts for placement. The program has three streams:

• long-term fellowships (1-2 years) for Indian senior researchers to come to Australia
• short-term fellowships (up to 6 months) for Indian early to mid-career researchers to come to Australia
• short-term fellowships (up to 6 months) for Australian early to mid-career researchers to go to India.

The Maitri Fellowships program is administered by the Centre for Australia-India Relations. Further details can be found at australiaindiacentre.org.au.

Quote attributable to Foreign Minister, Senator the Hon Senator Penny Wong:

"The Maitri Fellowships program is an investment by the Australian Government in a broader and deeper understanding of the Australia-India relationship, our shared interests and shared challenges.

"As the partnership between our two countries grows, the importance of this understanding is ever more important"

Quote attributable to the Centre for Australia-India Relations CEO Tim Thomas:

"The Centre for Australia-India Relations is committed to fostering mutual understanding of Australia and India through informed public commentary and debate."