NEW DELHI: The Australian government does not want its relations with India to be like a Twenty20 match with its "short bursts of enthusiasm". Rather it wants it to be like Test cricket where 'day-in-and-day-out' serious attempts are made by both sides to "extend the partnership", Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said here on Thursday.
The visiting Australian minister was candid enough to admit that previous governments in his country had not approached the relationship with India "diligently enough". But he made it clear that the period of "fits and starts" was over.
"Australia's past approach to India has been like a 20/20 cricket match: short bursts of enthusiasm followed by lengthy periods of inactivity," Smith said while delivering a lecture on 'Australia and India: A new partnership in the Asia Pacific century' organised by the Indian Council of World Affairs at Sapru House in New Delhi.
"We need, rather, to treat our relationship with India like a Test match. Working with diligence, dedication, application and perseverance day in and day out to extend the partnership," he added.
The Australian foreign minister who arrived in the country early this week, reached New Delhi on Thursday after visiting Chennai and Hyderabad. In the evening he called on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Friday he is scheduled to have a detailed discussion on the entire gamut of bilateral relations with his counterpart, external affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee.
During the day, Smith visited the National Hockey Stadium and exchanged some shots with some former Indian Olympians.
He expressed regret that the Indian hockey team could not qualify for the Beijing Olympics that ended last month. He pointed out that western Australia that has had large number of immigrants after World War II is well-known for its prowess in hockey.
"We are ready to extend any help to India to improve its hockey," the foreign minister said. "Even (Ray) Charlesworth is available," he said, referring to the former Australian hockey legend who was negotiating with Indian Hockey Federation officials till recently to coach the national side.
