In the latest episode of Chats Over Chai, CEO Lisa Singh sits down with Dr Preeti Mudliar, CAIR Maitri Fellow, to explore how digital infrastructure is reshaping welfare systems, food security and concepts of citizenship.

Lisa and Preeti unpack India’s biometric-mediated food security system, examine the growing role of technology in governance, and discuss how digital infrastructure is redefining the concept of substantive citizenship globally.

The Institute hosted an panel discussion on ‘Two Decades of Australia-India Relations: Insights from High Commissioners Past and Present’ in Delhi on Thursday, 5 March.

Moderated by CEO Lisa Singh, the panel featured current Australian High Commissioner to India, His Excellency Philip Green OAM (2023 – present) and former Australian High Commissioner’s to India, Mr Patrick Suckling (2013-2016) and Mr John McCarthy AO (2004 – 2009).

This first-of-its-kind event provided rare insights into the minds of Australia’s leading diplomats through a high-level discussion exploring the evolution of the Australia India relationship across education, economic cooperation, security development and broader areas of bilateral interest over the past two decades.

In the latest episode of Chats over Chai, Research Fellow Alice Garner sits down with Piyali Somaia, founder of Kahini, for a conversation on culture, community and creative pathways to wellbeing.

Piyali reflects on her family’s migration journey to Australia and how it has shaped her work through Kahini, an organisation that brings together art, health, community and collaboration to deliver innovative solutions. Alice and Piyali delve into how creative spaces can support newly arrived and diverse communities, and why art is such a powerful tool for wellbeing and connection.

In the first episode of Chats over Chai for 2026, CEO Lisa Singh sat down with Victorian Member for Mulgrave, Eden Foster MP, for a thoughtful and timely conversation about cultural diversity in Australia’s democracy.

As the first woman of Indian heritage elected to Victoria’s Legislative Assembly, Eden shares her personal journey into public life and reflects on what meaningful representation looks like in practice. Together, Lisa and Eden explore how we can build stronger connections across communities and foster a genuine sense of belonging in multicultural Australia.

Tune in for an insightful discussion on how cultural diversity in democracy has evolved - and why inclusive representation remains essential for a thriving, multicultural society.

Ahead of the 10th edition of the Serendipity Arts Festival in Goa, CEO Lisa Singh sits down with Melbourne based artists, Nuala Furtado, CEO of The Substation, and Vijay Thillaimuthu, a Tamil-Australian audio-visual and laser artist to discuss their practice.

In this episode, Lisa explores how their work is shaping global conversations on art and inclusivity. Together, they delve into what is needed to take Australia and India collaboration to the next level to ensure that marginalised voices are not lost in new narratives.

Cricket isn’t just a game; it is a powerful cultural bridge between Australia and India.

In our latest episode of Chats Over Chai, we asked author and technologist Nikhil Kulkarni what inspired his debut book 'My Summer of Cricket', and how the stories and memories in it capture the joy, humour and emotion of being a fan.

Tune in to hear why cricket continues to resonate across both countries and how Nikhil’s reflections offer a fresh lens in Australia–India relations.

In the lead-up to Australia Sports Innovation Week 2025 and the Australia India T20 cricket match, Andrew Walton, Managing Director of Sports Tech World Series, joins Head of Cultural Diplomacy Sudip Chakraborty to explore how technology is transforming the global sports landscape.

In this episode, Andrew shares insights on Victoria's vibrant sports ecosystem and discusses the exciting opportunities for collaboration between Victoria and India in sports technology and innovation, particularly as India pursues its bid for the 2036 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games.

In this new episode of Chats Over Chai, Dr Alice Garner sits down with genealogist and record agent Rachel Croucher to explore the fascinating world of tracing Indian and South Asian heritage in Australia.

Rachel brings over 20 years of experience in historical research and genealogy, specialising in helping families uncover their ancestral stories. Her personal journey of discovering her own Punjabi Sikh ancestry has informed her deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by diaspora communities in reconnecting with their roots.

As part of the Indian and South Asian Special Research Group launched at the Society of Australian Genealogists during National Family History Month 2025, Rachel's work provides crucial support for Australians of South Asian heritage seeking to explore their family histories, particularly those impacted by historical events like partition.

The pair delve into the emotional and practical aspects of genealogical research, the parallels with other global diaspora communities, and how exploring family history can strengthen cultural identity and community connections for South Asian Australians.