How is AFL bringing together Australian and Indian communities and how can sports can be used as a powerful tool for cultural diplomacy, identity and stronger bilateral ties?

CEO Lisa Singh joins incoming Head of Cultural Diplomacy at the Australia India Institute, Sudip Chakraborty, to discuss the impact of AFL on his journey to Australia, from founding the national governing body of AFL India to leading cross-cultural sports initiatives across both countries.

Sudip was instrumental in leading Essendon Football Club’s Embracing India Strategy and later contributed to a range of initiatives at the AFL Headquarters focused on expanding the game’s reach both in India and among the rapidly growing Indian diaspora in Australia.

In this new episode of Chats Over Chai, Research Fellow and Director of Security and Geopolitics, Dr Samuel Bashfield, sits down with Dr. Robert Mizo, a visiting Japan Foundation Fellow from the University of Delhi, to discuss the critical intersection of maritime security and climate change.

The pair explored how climate-related challenges reshape security paradigms in the Indo-Pacific region, the role of climate refugees and climate-induced migration and the future of the climate agenda for the Quad. They also delved into the potential collaborative approaches between Australia, India, and other regional partners to address these pressing environmental security concerns.

Dr Robert Mizo holds a PhD in Climate Policy studies. His research interests include Climate Change and Security, International Climate Politics, and Environmental Security.  

In this new episode of Chats Over Chai, Aii’s defence researcher, Dr Samuel Bashfield, sits down with Rajat Kulshrestha, CEO of Space Machines Company, who has held various roles as an investor, advisor, founder, director and executive across technology-driven sectors and has trained as an aerospace engineer.

The pair delve into the evolving space domain, the key opportunities and challenges faced by Australian space firms, collaborations with Indian players to alleviate these challenges, Space MATRI and the current projects of the company.

The space domain is constantly evolving— it is transformative, dynamic, and expansive. What are key challenges for space operators in 2025? India is considered one of Australia most significant strategic partners in the Indo-Pacific. Why was India selected and what opportunities exist in India for Australian space-firms?