The sixth ‘c’ shaping Australia–India relations: China

On December 30, the Australian’s business section reported that China is cutting Australian wheat imports. Meanwhile, a front-page story said that in the plan to diversify export markets because of punitive Chinese bans on Australian products, new Trade Minister Dan Tehan will prioritise a free trade agreement with India. The former elicited strongly China-hostile comments online. The latter received overwhelmingly positive responses. Thus China has become the sixth ‘C’ cementing Australia–India relations on top of colonial bonds, Commonwealth connections, comradeship in wars, curry and cricket.  

There is historical depth and texture to the bilateral relationship embracing trade, government and people-to-people…