The Power of Diplomacy

Bengaluru, 23 June 2025: Dr. Fr. Jose C.C., Vice Chancellor, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), with Dr. Anil Joseph Pinto, Registrar, CHRIST (Deemed to be University) and Dr. Manoharan N, Professor and Director, Centre for East Asian Studies had the distinct honor of welcoming Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia and Ms Hilary McGeachy, the Australian Consul General Bengaluru, India on their esteemed visit. 

Her Excellency, a seasoned diplomat with a distinguished career, having served as Head of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and as former Ambassador to China, shared her insights at a Distinguished Lecture series held by the Centre for East Asian Studies, Christ University on the ‘Power of Diplomacy and the Importance of Leadership,’ a topic of utmost significance in today's global context. 

Her Excellency initiated the lecture by emphasizing the pivotal role of higher education in shaping society and facilitating future leadership. She underscored the importance of learning skills, the foundation for civic responsibility, and the transformative power of education, inspiring the audience with her words.

Her Excellency spoke at length about the strengthening of the Australia-India strategic partnership, “particularly with India in fields of education, cultural, research, and the Indo-Pacific.”

Regarding the Indo-Pacific partnership, Her Excellency noted Australia's commitment to "working towards building a place in the world not just for Australia but for countries in the Indo-Pacific region as well, so that when we are all stable and peaceful, we all have a chance to prosper."

Encouraging the students, she stated that the "global challenges we face today, such as climate change, technological disruptions, or inequality, cannot be addressed in isolation. These issues require collaboration and leadership from people who are involved, reflective, and willing to work with others.” Lastly, she emphasized how important it is for students to learn and know how we apply the learning, as it must serve something greater than ourselves, and how the current generation's actions would help define what comes next.