GoI has no right in taking decision of Melbourne’s Australia India Institute: MEA

Apr 21, 2022

New Delhi, Apr 21 (ANI): After thirteen academics from Universities across Australia have quit their affiliation with the Melbourne-based Australia India Institute (AII), the Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson on April 21 responded to the alleged interference by the Indian High Commission in Australia’s academic freedom and stated that the Institute was established by the Australian Government in partnership with the University of Melbourne and was funded by the Australian government and institutions. The Government of India has no right in taking the decision of this institution. The reports of the Indian High Commission in Australia being dragged into this are unfair. “The institute was set up by the Australian govt in partnership with the University of Melbourne and funded by the Australian government and institutions. GoI has no say in the decision-making of this institute,” said MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi. “As far as academic freedom in Australia is concerned, this is for the Australian authorities to respond to. I do believe that the authorities of the Institute of Melbourne have made their position clear to it,” he added.