On 16th May the results of India’s national election were declared and a new government, led by controversial BJP leader Narendra Modi, was elected with an overwhelming majority. Meanwhile, front-runners are emerging for the Indonesian presidential election to be held on 9 July. (Visit the Electionwatch India site for insights and background.)
Both elections will bring significant shifts in policy and potential power in the region. What will this mean for Australia and its relationships in South and South East Asia? What are the ambitions and challenges for these rapidly changing nations? And how are their relationships with the Coalition government, nine months into its first term?
Sally Warhaft is joined by Electionwatch specialists Professor Tim Lindsey, director of the Centre for Indonesian Law, Islam and Society and Dr Pradeep Taneja a fellow of the Australia India Institute at the University of Melbourne, together with veteran foreign affairs journalist Hamish McDonald, author of Demokrasi, for an enlightening discussion on new governments in the region and what it means for Australia.