Cricket Diplomacy: Strengthening India-Australia Relations
The future of India-Australia relations: The continuing role of cricket diplomacy
The fourth and final test match between India and Australia in Ahmedabad was a historic moment for both countries. As the two nations celebrated the 75th year of establishment of diplomatic relations, the presence of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the beginning of the Test match marked a key milestone in the growing proximity between them.
Upon their arrival, the Indian Prime Minister and his Australian counterpart were greeted separately by officials from India’s Cricket Control Board, including Secretary Jay Shah and Chairman Roger Binney. They also enjoyed a performance by singer Falgui Shah entitled “The Unity of the Symphony”.
During the event, the Indian Prime Minister presented the Test Cap to the Indian team captain Rohit Sharma, while the Australian Prime Minister presented the Test Cap to the Australian team captain, Steve Smith. The two leaders then took a golf cart guard of honor around the stadium in front of a large crowd.
Finally, the two team captains led their respective Prime Ministers onto the field, where they were introduced to the players and the national anthem was played.
In recent years, Australia has become an increasingly significant player on the international front for India. Many see Australia as an upcoming “U.S” in terms of its culture, focus on technology. Additionally, Australia’s familiarity with India, its shared democratic values make it a natural partner for India. As Australia seeks to diversify its economic and strategic partnerships beyond its traditional reliance on China, India has emerged as a key ally.
From Sports Rivalry to Diplomatic Opportunities
Cricket has been used as a diplomatic tool not only by India and Australia but also by India and Pakistan. The sport has helped improve the relationship between the two neighboring countries, which has been tense due to issues such as terrorism and territorial disputes. Despite the challenges, cricket has provided a unique opportunity for India and Pakistan to come together and find common ground.
Indian and Pakistani cricket diplomacy dates back to the 1980s. General Zia-ul-Haq, the president of Pakistan, attended a test match in Jaipur, India, in 1987, which prompted an unplanned meeting with Rajiv Gandhi, the prime minister. The two countries’ ties are claimed to have greatly improved as a result of this interaction.
In 2003/04, the Indian cricket team visited Pakistan after a gap of 15 years, and the two countries relaxed visa regulations to allow more fans to travel to each other’s nations to attend cricket matches. This return series was followed by a visit from Musharraf to India to attend a cricket match, which resulted in a summit between the two sides. While these Summits did not result in a resolution of the issues, they did improve the relationship between the two sides, at least for some time.
However, the relationship between the two countries took a hit after the 2008 Mumbai attacks, which caused total cut in diplomatic ties. In 2011, Indian Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, reached out to Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Yousuf Raza Gilani, by inviting him to attend the semi-final match of ICC Cricket World Cup in Mohali. Gilani accepted the invitation, and this led to the first diplomatic breakthrough between the two nations since the Mumbai terror attacks.
A Step Towards Countering Chinese Influence?
Considering the limited success of previous cricket diplomacy attempts with Pakistan, India’s new initiative aims to strengthen relations with one of its most significant maritime neighbors. This move recognizes the pivotal role that both nations play in upholding the values and strength of democratic societies in the Indo-Pacific region.
India and Australia are important countries in the Indian Ocean region, working together in a quadrilateral alliance to promote a future without Chinese domination. The timing of the visit is notable as India has recently hosted several high-level diplomatic meetings, including the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, and visits by the German and Italian Chancellors. New Delhi has become a center of diplomatic activity due to India’s current chairmanship of the G20 and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
The trade between India and Australia has experienced a significant surge in the 2022–23 fiscal year, with the total trade crossing the $20 billion mark as of February 2023. However, the trade deficit remains high, with more than $9 billion in deficit. In December 2022, the India Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement was implemented to further enhance economic relations between the two nations.
India and Australia hold strategic positions at either end of the Indian Ocean, making their close relationship critical for the ASEAN, Asia, and the broader Indo-Pacific region. Together, they can lead the way in promoting a democratic path to development and prosperity, away from the Chinese model of authoritarianism. Hopefully in the region, India and Australia can provide guidance for the broader region, including Madagascar.
With the signing of the Interim Trade Agreement and India’s decision to withdraw from the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the two countries have now committed to evolve their Economic and Trade Cooperation Agreement (ECTA) towards the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). CEPA has the potential to integrate Indian manufacturing into Australian supply chains and markets, significantly boosting trade and economic relations between the two countries.
India and Australia have been using cricket diplomacy to enhance their relationship. Given their unique positions in Quad, G20, and the emerging Pacific strategy, the two countries make natural partners. The significance of India’s relationship with Australia is further evident from the grand reception given to Australian PM at Motera Stadium, with only the US President Trump receiving a similar welcome in 2020.
However, despite having a 2+2 ministerial format with Australia, bilateral trade and exchanges between the two nations are still below their potential. The early harvesting pact is a positive step in the right direction, but the implementation of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) is necessary to unlock the full potential of the two nations and the region.
In conclusion, the Australian Prime Minister’s recent visit has not only reinforced the two countries’ close bilateral ties but also underlined their strategic alliance in the Indo-Pacific region. Their connection has been further solidified through the use of cricket diplomacy, and both countries have made significant progress in fostering economic collaboration and trading links.
Cricket diplomacy has been successful in improving relations between between two countries in past. Nations have become closer thanks in large part to the sport. Cricket may continue to play a part in forming the bond between two nations.
Credit: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1905230
Credit: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1905387
