Asia Society Australia will host the Maitri Fellowship workshop on ‘Ensuring ASEAN Centrality in the Indo-Pacific: A Case for Bolstering India-Australia Cooperation in Southeast Asia’ in Canberra on Wednesday, April 30, 2025.

Supported by the Centre for Australia-India Relations at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, at this workshop, Asia Society Australia’s Maitri Fellow, Dr. Premesha Saha will be presenting the preliminary findings of her research study on ‘Strategic Synergies: Bolstering India and Australia’s Engagement with Southeast Asia for a Secure and Stable Indo-Pacific’. The discussion will be moderated by Anthony Bubalo, CEO of Asia Society Australia. Premesha’s presentation will be followed by brief remarks and comments by Susannah Patton, Director of the Southeast Asia Program at the Lowy Institute. This will be followed by an open discussion with the attendees of the workshop.

At this workshop, delegates and representatives from the government, defence, academia, and think tanks will deliberate on how India and Australia can enhance their cooperation and strategic engagement in Southeast Asia to advance mutual interests in regional stability, security, and prosperity. As two key Indo-Pacific powers, both countries recognize Southeast Asia—and ASEAN in particular—as a strategic priority in their respective foreign policy visions.

This discussion will be held under the Chatham House Rule and this is an invitation only event.

Date: Wednesday, April 30, 2025

Time: 2:00pm to 4:00pm

Location: High Courtyard South at Realm Hotel Canberra

This event is supported by the Centre for Australia-India Relations.