Australasian Security: The Way Forward

Speaker: Stephen Smith
Discussant: Pramit Pal Chaudhuri
The Future of Asia Series | Edition I: Migration
In collaboration with Asia Society India Centre, Mumbai

December 9, 2011 | 6.30 pm
Forum Room, Taj President Hotel, Mumbai

The defining feature of this century is the rise of the Asia Pacific: economic, political, military and strategic influence is moving to our part of the world. The reality of this power and influence has arrived faster than many expected or are prepared for. This landscape also includes non-traditional security challenges such as terrorism, piracy, maritime security and natural disasters. For these reasons, Australia and India share a number of strategic interests. Indian Ocean region maritime security issues, and regional security architecture provide opportunities for increased engagement, to tackle the challenges of the regional strategic environment.

The Australian Defence Minister, Stephen Smith, and Pramit Pal Chaudhuri, Foreign Editor of Hindustan Times, discuss defence and strategic issues of mutual interest for India and Australia in the Asia Pacific Century.

Stephen Smith was sworn in as Australian Minister for Defence in 2010. He has also served as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Principal Private Secretary to the Attorney-General of Western Australia, and Special Adviser to the Prime Minister, among other positions.

Pramit Pal Chaudhuri is the Foreign Editor of Hindustan Times. He specializes in India’s international security and economic policy. His experience includes participating as a delegate in Indo-US Strategic Dialogues, serving as South Asia Fellow at the Henry Stimson Centre, as Visiting Fellow at Cornell University’s South Asia department, and as editorial writer for The Telegraph and The Statesman newspapers. He is also an Associate Fellow at Asia Society.

The Future of Asia series, co-produced by Mohile Parikh Center and Asia Society India Centre, brings together a diverse group of speakers from across the world to explore the Future of Asia from a multidisciplinary perspective. Each speaker addresses this theme through a distinct lens provided from his or her discipline, offering unique insights into what we can expect for Asia, and how we can shape a positive, sustainable future for the continent.