Indiaspora Roadshows in Australia: Strengthening Ties Ahead of the 2026 Bengaluru Forum

Indiaspora was delighted to host our Australia Roadshows this year as we build momentum toward the Indiaspora Forum in Bangalore in March 2026. These energizing preliminary events—held in both Sydney and Melbourne—brought together business leaders, innovators, sports legends, performing artists and community members for thoughtful conversations on Australia–India relations and the vital role the diaspora continues to play in deepening bilateral ties.

Exploring Evolving Australia–India Dynamics

The Sydney Roadshow involved over 50 participants that enjoyed a vibrant panel discussion on Australia–India bilateral relations, featuring  Veena Sahajwalla, Professor and Director of the Sustainable Materials Research & Technology Centre at UNSW Australia, Chandra Reddy, Investment Banker, Melissa Monteiro, Chief Executive Officer at Community Migrant Resource Centre, and James Mabbott, Partner in Charge, KPMG Futures | non-executive director Stone & Chalk. We were also delighted to feature a fireside chat between Sagar Nagaraj (Cofounder Australian Indian Orchestra) and cricket legend Lisa Sthalekar, whose presence added both warmth and inspiration to the program.

We book ended the evening with musical performances by Sagar Nagaraj on violin and Vritant Soni’s soulful Arijit Singh renditions

The Melbourne roadshow comprised over 40 attendees engaging in a stimulating conversation on the same theme, with panelists Sanjeev Gandhi, Managing Director and CEO at Orica, Yemee Fernandes of Four Pillars Trading and James Mabbott & Priya Singh of KPMG Futures.

We were also delighted to feature a conversation between two special female leaders Treassa Joseph GAICD and Kishwar Chowdhury, celebrity chef and MasterChef Australia finalist. Kishwar spoke about food innovation and the emergence of the third culture within the diaspora which is that perfect blend between all things Indian and Australian.

Both panels in Sydney and Melbourne were moderated by Indiaspora Australia Country Head, Jai Patel.  Across both cities, our panel discussions explored a wide range of themes, including how Australian businesses increasingly view India as a critical growth market and the significant cultural, economic, and social impact of the Indian diaspora in Australia. There was consensus about how Indian talent and labour are central to strengthening economic and social ties between our nations.

One of Indiaspora’s core values is fostering intergenerational dialogue. We believe strongly in creating space for younger members of the diaspora to learn, mentor, and lead, while ensuring our senior community members have avenues to share their wisdom, experience, and guidance.  We were particularly delighted to see some of our youngest attendees take part in the discussions—an encouraging reminder of the importance of cultivating leadership at every age.

While the events certainly included opportunities for connection they were far more than standard networking gatherings. They represented a meaningful convergence of individuals dedicated to leveraging the collective talent, experience, and goodwill of the Indo-Australian community.

In Jai’s words “We’re not a business chamber nor a transacting entity. We’re a not for profit that works to harness the power of the collective by providing a platform for you to connect, collaborate and co-create (and sure for the purposes of your own personal and commercial endeavours) but also to give back and make an impact equally in the communities in which you live and towards India.”

Diwali in Brisbane

The power of diaspora communities lies not just in their global reach, but in their ability to bridge continents and create meaningful change. That was one of our goals in hosting the Forum for Good in Abu Dhabi this past February.  The Forum represented something special: a convergence of vision, leadership, and action.  At Jai Patel’s Invitation, Treassa Joseph had joined us for the Forum For Good in Abu Dhabi, through which she met fellow diaspora leaders with whom to connect and collaborate. These moments of face-to-face connection are invaluable, allowing our community members to move beyond virtual interactions and build the kind of relationships that fuel lasting impact, empowering them to be a force for good across all continents.

We were grateful to Tina for joining us in Abu Dhabi and even more grateful to keep the relationship going.  Tina was kind enough to invite Indiaspora to ‘Love, Light and Sparkle’, a Diwali Soiree that shined a spotlight on three nonprofits: Pratham, Caritas Australia and the Australian-Indian Orchestra (AIO), all of whom have earned the respect of this community for their tireless contributions and commitment to their cause.

By highlighting these organizations, the event created visibility for their missions while fostering connections that can amplify their reach and effectiveness. Such purpose-driven gatherings serve a vital function: they remind us that diaspora networks carry a responsibility to uplift causes that matter, to use our collective influence for positive change, and to ensure that success is measured not just in personal achievement but in community impact. That’s why Indiaspora was thrilled to support this event through a live musical performance underpinned by the AIO, adding a cultural dimension that celebrates our heritage while advancing our mission.

We look forward to carrying this momentum into the months ahead and are deeply grateful to everyone who joined us. The engagement, enthusiasm, and vision shared across our Roadshow events reaffirm the exciting path ahead as we prepare for the 2026 Indiaspora Forum in Bengaluru. 

Grateful for the dialogue. Energized for what comes next.