Victorian Opposition Leader Matthew Guy is heading to India to further the India-Oz partnership
Matthew Guy, Leader of the Opposition in Victoria, is very excited about his upcoming trip to India, scheduled from 13 to 21 November.
Speaking at a pre-Independence Day celebration event held at the Templestowe Bowling Club recently, the former Planning Minister and former Minister for Multicultural Affairs discussed plans and expectations for his much-awaited first trip to India.
The Member for Bulleen said he could not wait to visit the cities, temples, and countryside and is particularly looking forward to the train trip that has been organised for him as part of his jam-packed itinerary in India.
“My trip is to build relationships with a number of key governments in India and explore the options of forming a good business partnership and cultural exchange with an Indian state in the near future,” Mr Guy revealed.
Chairman of the Multicultural Liberal Business Club (MLBC) and the Chair of Confederation of Indian Australian Associations (CIAA), Vasan Srinivasan will be responsible for organising Matthew Guy’s trip to India.
“The visit will be mainly focused on the financial services industry, education, technology, tourism and cultural exchange with a view to learning and understanding how things in India can be of benefit to Victoria,” Srinivasan said.
“We will be meeting a number of Ministers and dignitaries from New Delhi to Chennai, and also ensuring that local media is involved and informed through the entre visit.”
Matthew Guy said he finds Indians to be most welcoming and generous people and one of the most wonderful groups of people he has come across in his public life.
“May there be more and more of migration from India to Australia,” he said, winning brownie points from those present.
According to the Victorian Opposition Leader, the event was not a fundraiser, nor a political function but simply a gathering for everyone to acknowledge Indian Independence Day and its growing significance in Australia.
That may have been the intent, however it was clear that the overarching agenda was promoting the Opposition Leader’s upcoming visit to India.
The rest of the evening was spent with a Q&A series, including many suggestions of places that the Minister should visit during his eight days in the country.
Mr Guy also voiced his wish to develop a sister state relationship somewhere in India.
“We have had a very productive sister state relationship with Jiangsu in China for many years now and it’s time for us to have a similar relationship between the state of Victoria and a state in India,” he said.
Vice Consul of India in Melbourne Anjan Bhaumik congratulated Mr Guy on his decision to engage further with India.
Delivering a message on behalf of the Indian Consul General Manika Jain, Mr Bhaumik said, “It is heartening to see that the engagement between India and Australia has increased substantially in the last few years.”
“New rigor and enthusiasm has been seen in encouraging people to people contact between the two countries,” Mr Bhaumik said, alluding to the high-powered visitations from both countries.
Ambarish Deshmukh kept the proceedings light with his banter.
The audience also appreciated a fabulous Kathak performance by the Manmohini Dance group.
The trio of dancers performed classical dance steps to contemporary music and was delighted to pose for a photo later on with the young Mr Guy.
The evening was not formal in nature and gave business owners, media and community an opportunity to interact easily with the Leader of the Opposition.
Everyone present unanimously extended best wishes to Matthew Guy, bidding him a safe and successful trip.