By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, May 9: Seeking to bridge the gap between the world’s driest continent and India’s wettest state, Australian High Commissioner Philip Green has outlined a strategic roadmap to deploy Australian water-management expertise and indigenous diplomacy to turn Meghalaya into a primary partner for Canberra’s “Act East” ambitions.
During his first official visit to Shillong, Green held discussions with Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma and Governor CH Vijayashankar.
Now, speaking to The Shillong Times, Green said the visit aimed to identify practical deliverables rather than remaining purely ceremonial.
The High Commissioner identified water management as a top priority, noting the Chief Minister’s interest in leveraging Australian expertise. Referencing the Australia-India Water Centre in Guwahati, Green said officials would explore deeper partnerships with Meghalaya to address water security challenges.
On education, Green highlighted a shift toward two-way academic engagement. With India now allowing foreign universities to establish branch campuses, he noted that two Australian institutions are already operating in the country, with five more committed.
“We don’t think that education should be a one-way street,” Green said, suggesting that joint degree programmes, research collaborations, and eventually branch campuses in the Northeast are possibilities for the future.
The High Commissioner also proposed a focus on indigenous outreach, seeking to connect Australian indigenous communities with the tribal populations of Meghalaya. While acknowledging different historical dynamics, he described this as a vital point of contact for future diplomacy.
On the strategic front, Green addressed the South Asia Regional Infrastructure Connectivity Initiative (SARIC), which supports regional projects, including hydroelectric studies in Bhutan. While he noted that Australian funding would be “modest,” he emphasised its “catalytic” potential for improving connectivity in the Northeast and the Bay of Bengal region.
While Green touched upon tourism and sports infrastructure—including the proposed football stadium in Shillong—the focus remained on technical and structural cooperation. He concluded that the bilateral relationship is at its strongest point, providing a foundation for Australia to do “modestly more” with Meghalaya.
