Australia’s Foreign Minister Wants ‘Fashion Diplomacy’ With India

Australian High Commissioner to India, Ms Harinder Sidhu says Australia is keen on fashion diplomacy with India

Australian High Commissioner to India Harinder Sidhu feels that when two nations are forging a relationship, they usually talk about political, diplomatic or economical tie-ups. However, what matters most is the link between people.

Sidhu says Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop emphasises on creating bonds through ‘fashion diplomacy’ and India is one of the countries that tops the chart.

We have been looking at different ways of building relationships with India. A good relationship has many levels to it and for the first time we have a female Foreign Minister who is very keen on fashion diplomacy, and this is the term we are taking forward

Harinder Sidhu, Australian High Commissioner to India

"It (the association through fashion) has been incredibly successful. I feel that fashion not only brings people together, but it's also a very large industry in its own right”, Sidhu said.

‘Australia’s Material Production and India’s Creativity Can Collaborate’

Australia is one of the big producers of products like cotton and wool, and India is home to a great deal of creativity, and I think these collaborations are cementing the whole dimension of relations between the two countries,

Harinder Sidhu, Australian High Commissioner to India

Sidhu was here to support designer Gaurav Jai Gupta of the brand Akaaro.

For Lakmé Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2017, Gaurav’s ‘Irreverence’ collection was supported by Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The designer's show, that was supported by the Australian Foreign Affairs and Trade departments, used Australian homegrown Merino Wool as one of the fabrics in his line.

More Associations with Indian Designers?

So will there be more associations with Indian designers?

I am staggered by how much talent India has. I think absolutely. We have a couple of collaborations already and we are prepared to be more adventurous and really reach out a lot more. Few collaborations that we had, led to deeper understanding of both the countries. And Australians now are much more comfortable working with Indian designers as they are really making their mark.

Harinder Sidhu, Australian High Commissioner to India

Sidhu also added that the Indian population in Australia is ‘growing very fast and that is building more and more people connection.’

"Australians are thinking about Indian places to collaborate in all fields. I think the relationship between Australia and India is stronger than ever now. Australians are making movies about Indian experiences, many more Indians are going to Australia for study and vice versa. So at many layers this relationship is improving deeper and deeper," she said.