New Delhi: Australian High Commissioner to India Philip Green has taken a Shatabdi Express journey from New Delhi to Chandigarh, offering a glimpse into everyday Indian life and the warmth of interactions aboard the country’s trains.
Train journey brings people and cultures closer
Green shared his experience on September 9, describing train travel as an opportunity to meet people, exchange conversations and experience India beyond formal diplomatic engagements.
He said conversations with fellow passengers often turn to cricket, while Indian families sometimes share food with him. His observations highlighted a familiar aspect of Indian hospitality — the willingness of strangers to connect and make visitors feel welcome.
Green said he thoroughly enjoyed the journey and looked forward to exploring opportunities in Punjab and Haryana as part of efforts to deepen Australia-India ties.
The Australian High Commission describes India and Australia as close partners with growing strategic, economic and community ties.
Journey echoes Albanese’s India memories
The envoy’s train trip also carried a personal connection to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s memories of India.
Albanese has recalled travelling through India as a backpacker in 1991 and encouraged people seeking to understand the country to experience it by bus or train. He described the opportunity to see India’s warmth first-hand as an important part of the experience.
Green’s journey therefore offered more than a change in mode of transport. It reflected how everyday encounters, shared conversations and simple acts of hospitality can strengthen understanding between people from two countries.
As Australia and India continue to expand their partnership across trade, education, technology, defence and culture, such people-to-people experiences remain an important part of building a closer relationship.