Hyderabad, May 15: The 14th edition of the Australia India Youth Dialogue (AIYD) was officially launched in Hyderabad by Philip Green, reaffirming the growing strategic, economic, and people-to-people partnership between Australia and India.
Hosted by Hilary McGeachy at Taj Deccan, Banjara Hills, on Friday evening, the launch reception brought together senior representatives from government, industry, academia, media, startups, innovation, and civil society to celebrate the next chapter of bilateral youth engagement.
The launch reception in Hyderabad was organised with the support of the Australian High Commission, New Delhi, and the Australian Consulate-General, Bengaluru.
Speaking at the event, Philip Green highlighted India’s growing importance in Australia’s foreign policy and global economic outlook.
“India is the fastest-growing large economy in the world and a formidable global force. Today, no nation can imagine shaping the future without engaging with India,” he said, underlining the expanding strategic and economic significance of the India–Australia partnership.
Describing the bilateral relationship as one driven by “strategic alignment, economic complementarity, and the human bridge,” Green said both countries increasingly view each other as indispensable partners in the Indo-Pacific region.
He also noted that Australia and India complement each other economically rather than compete, pointing to Australia’s strengths in energy, education, minerals, and critical resources that can support India’s economic and industrial ambitions.
Founded in 2012, AIYD is regarded as the premier Track-II youth leadership dialogue between Australia and India. Every year, the initiative brings together 30 exceptional young leaders — 15 each from India and Australia — representing sectors including public policy, business, technology, entrepreneurship, media, education, sustainability, and civil society.
Over the past 14 years, AIYD has built a vibrant alumni network of more than 400 emerging leaders who continue to strengthen cooperation and cross-cultural understanding between the two nations.
The 2026 dialogue will be held from July 27–31 across Queensland and Western Australia under the theme:“Complex Systems – Reshaping Leadership in an Age of Transformation.”
The programme will examine how leadership must evolve amid rapid technological, economic, industrial, institutional, and cultural change. Delegates will engage with experts, policymakers, and industry leaders across four interconnected themes: Economic & Innovation Systems; Industrial & Resource Systems; Governance & Institutional Systems; and Human, Cultural & Influence Systems
“The Australia–India relationship is at a historic high, driven by geostrategic alignment, economic complementarity, and the living bridge between our people,” said Philip Green.
“For 14 years, AIYD has forged friendships and cross-cultural dialogue between emerging leaders from both nations. We look forward to the ideas and collaborations that emerge from the 2026 edition,” he added.
Also present at the launch event, Telangana Special Chief Secretary for Information Technology and Industries Jayesh Ranjan highlighted Telangana’s ambition to contribute significantly to India’s projected long-term economic growth and welcomed stronger Australia–India collaboration in innovation, education, and technology.
Addressing the youth participating in the exchange programme, Jayesh Ranjan encouraged them to share their knowledge, observations, and learnings for the growth and development of Telangana.
A/Prof Michelle Jasper, Co-Chair (Australia), AIYD, said the 2026 theme reflects the changing nature of global leadership.
“This year’s theme speaks directly to the moment we are in and the kind of leadership the Australia–India relationship will require in the years ahead. We are excited to welcome an extraordinary cohort of delegates to Brisbane and Perth this year,” she said.
Dr Anthony Vipin Das, Co-Chair (India), AIYD, emphasised the importance of people-to-people diplomacy in strengthening bilateral ties.
“Treaties and trade agreements set the table; people set the conversation. The human bridges between Australia and India are what truly animate this partnership. That is the work AIYD has championed for over a decade,” he said.
Organisers said AIYD 2026 aims to foster deeper cooperation between future leaders of both countries while creating new pathways for collaboration on regional and global challenges.
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