Maitri Fellowship Program 2024
About the Maitri Fellowship
The University of Wollongong's Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security (ANCORS) has been awarded one of seven inaugural Maitri Fellowships by the Centre for Australia-India Relations within the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
The fellowship has been awarded to Rear Admiral Sudarshan Shrikhande (retd), an expert in security-related fields with extensive policy and research experience.
Rear Admiral Shrikhande, a former Defence Adviser at the Indian High Commission in Australia and a senior officer in the Indian Navy, will relocate to Australia to undertake a six-month fellowship at ANCORS. His work will focus on the critical Australia-India bilateral trade and maritime security relationship. Through his research, he will explore the threats to maritime trade between the two nations and the impacts of trade contestation and conflict in the region.
Rear Admiral Shrikhande’s research is expected to provide valuable insights into enhancing maritime security and trade resilience, which are vital components of the Australia-India economic relationship. His extensive background includes teaching at several prestigious military colleges, including the National Defence College of India, where he has shared his knowledge and expertise on maritime security.
The Maitri Fellowship program aims to foster closer ties between Australia and India by supporting scholars and practitioners engaged in high-impact research that addresses shared challenges and opportunities. By bringing together top talent from both nations, the program seeks to promote collaboration, innovation, and mutual understanding.
