Dr. Madhu Chitkara Chairs ASSOCHAM-AIBC Roundtable on Bilateral Collaboration
Dr. Madhu Chitkara, Pro-Chancellor, Chitkara University and Co-Chairperson of ASSOCHAM National Council of Education, lent her expertise and leadership to a select industry roundtable organised by ASSOCHAM in collaboration with the Australia-India Business Council (AIBC). The high-profile event was held in New Delhi, brought together key stakeholders from the Indian and Australian business and education sectors to explore avenues for bilateral collaboration and strategic partnership.
Among the prominent Australian delegates were Catherine Gallagher, Head of Austrade, South Asia and Minister Commercial at the Australian High Commission in New Delhi; Jodi McKay, Director of the Australia-India CEO Forum and National Chair of AIBC; and Ravneet Pawha, National Co-Chair of AIBC and Vice President Global Alliance and CEO South Asia at Deakin University. The Indian representation included Dr. Madhu Chitkara, alongside Kunwar Shekhar Vijendra, Chairman of ASSOCHAM National Council on Education and Chancellor & Co-Founder of Shobhit University, and Prof. Rajita Kulkarni, Co-Chair of ASSOCHAM National Council on Education & President of Sri Sri University, among other esteemed industry leaders.
The discourse centred on critical areas such as renewables, education, infrastructure financing, agriculture, capacity building, and the digital economy, underscoring the importance of collaborative efforts in driving sustainable development and economic growth. Participants exchanged insights and ideas on leveraging future collaborations, including initiatives like student exchange programs and cultural exchanges, to foster mutual understanding and strengthen bilateral ties.
A significant portion of the discussion revolved around the implications of immigration reforms in the context of the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), highlighting the need for strategic alignment and policy coordination to facilitate smoother trade and investment flows between the two nations.
Dr. Madhu Chitkara’s active participation and invaluable contributions at the ASSOCHAM-AIBC roundtable exemplify her commitment to fostering meaningful dialogues and driving actionable outcomes in the realm of bilateral cooperation. As the discussions concluded, stakeholders left the event with a renewed sense of purpose and determination to pursue collaborative initiatives that will propel India-Australia relations to new heights of prosperity and mutual benefit.
