In the latest episode of Chats over Chai, Research Fellow Alice Garner sits down with Piyali Somaia, founder of Kahini, for a conversation on culture, community and creative pathways to wellbeing. 

Piyali reflects on her family’s migration journey to Australia and how it has shaped her work through Kahini, an organisation that brings together art, health, community and collaboration to deliver innovative solutions. Alice and Piyali delve into how creative spaces can support newly arrived and diverse communities, and why art is such a powerful tool for wellbeing and connection. 

In the first episode of Chats over Chai for 2026, CEO Lisa Singh sat down with Victorian Member for Mulgrave, Eden Foster MP, for a thoughtful and timely conversation about cultural diversity in Australia’s democracy.

As the first woman of Indian heritage elected to Victoria’s Legislative Assembly, Eden shares her personal journey into public life and reflects on what meaningful representation looks like in practice. Together, Lisa and Eden explore how we can build stronger connections across communities and foster a genuine sense of belonging in multicultural Australia.

Tune in for an insightful discussion on how cultural diversity in democracy has evolved - and why inclusive representation remains essential for a thriving, multicultural society.

Ahead of the 10th edition of the Serendipity Arts Festival in Goa, CEO Lisa Singh sits down with Melbourne based artists, Nuala Furtado, CEO of The Substation, and Vijay Thillaimuthu, a Tamil-Australian audio-visual and laser artist to discuss their practice.

In this episode, Lisa explores how their work is shaping global conversations on art and inclusivity. Together, they delve into what is needed to take Australia and India collaboration to the next level to ensure that marginalised voices are not lost in new narratives.

Cricket isn’t just a game; it is a powerful cultural bridge between Australia and India. 

In our latest episode of Chats Over Chai, we asked author and technologist Nikhil Kulkarni what inspired his debut book 'My Summer of Cricket', and how the stories and memories in it capture the joy, humour and emotion of being a fan.

Tune in to hear why cricket continues to resonate across both countries and how Nikhil’s reflections offer a fresh lens in Australia–India relations. 

In the lead-up to Australia Sports Innovation Week 2025 and the Australia India T20 cricket match, Andrew Walton, Managing Director of Sports Tech World Series, joins Head of Cultural Diplomacy Sudip Chakraborty to explore how technology is transforming the global sports landscape. 

In this episode, Andrew shares insights on Victoria's vibrant sports ecosystem and discusses the exciting opportunities for collaboration between Victoria and India in sports technology and innovation, particularly as India pursues its bid for the 2036 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games.

In this new episode of Chats Over Chai, Dr Alice Garner sits down with genealogist and record agent Rachel Croucher to explore the fascinating world of tracing Indian and South Asian heritage in Australia.

Rachel brings over 20 years of experience in historical research and genealogy, specialising in helping families uncover their ancestral stories. Her personal journey of discovering her own Punjabi Sikh ancestry has informed her deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by diaspora communities in reconnecting with their roots.

As part of the Indian and South Asian Special Research Group launched at the Society of Australian Genealogists during National Family History Month 2025, Rachel's work provides crucial support for Australians of South Asian heritage seeking to explore their family histories, particularly those impacted by historical events like partition.

The pair delve into the emotional and practical aspects of genealogical research, the parallels with other global diaspora communities, and how exploring family history can strengthen cultural identity and community connections for South Asian Australians.

Indian-born, Melbourne-based chef Helly Raichura and author of The Food of Bharat sits down with CEO of the Australia India Institute, Lisa Singh to discuss her passion for cooking authentic Indian regional cuisine with Australian produce which led to her opening her restaurant, Enter via Laundry. 

In this episode Helly shares her migrant story from India to Australia, and how food diplomacy serves as a powerful bridge that transcends borders, builds understanding, and strengthens relationships through the universal language of sharing a meal and culinary traditions. 

How is AFL bringing together Australian and Indian communities and how can sports can be used as a powerful tool for cultural diplomacy, identity and stronger bilateral ties?

CEO Lisa Singh joins incoming Head of Cultural Diplomacy at the Australia India Institute, Sudip Chakraborty, to discuss the impact of AFL on his journey to Australia, from founding the national governing body of AFL India to leading cross-cultural sports initiatives across both countries.

Sudip was instrumental in leading Essendon Football Club’s Embracing India Strategy and later contributed to a range of initiatives at the AFL Headquarters focused on expanding the game’s reach both in India and among the rapidly growing Indian diaspora in Australia. 

In this new episode of Chats Over Chai, Research Fellow and Director of Security and Geopolitics, Dr Samuel Bashfield, sits down with Dr. Robert Mizo, a visiting Japan Foundation Fellow from the University of Delhi, to discuss the critical intersection of maritime security and climate change. 

The pair explored how climate-related challenges reshape security paradigms in the Indo-Pacific region, the role of climate refugees and climate-induced migration and the future of the climate agenda for the Quad. They also delved into the potential collaborative approaches between Australia, India, and other regional partners to address these pressing environmental security concerns. 

Dr Robert Mizo holds a PhD in Climate Policy studies. His research interests include Climate Change and Security, International Climate Politics, and Environmental Security.   

In this new episode of Chats Over Chai, Aii’s defence researcher, Dr Samuel Bashfield, sits down with Rajat Kulshrestha, CEO of Space Machines Company, who has held various roles as an investor, advisor, founder, director and executive across technology-driven sectors and has trained as an aerospace engineer. 

The pair delve into the evolving space domain, the key opportunities and challenges faced by Australian space firms, collaborations with Indian players to alleviate these challenges, Space MATRI and the current projects of the company. 

The space domain is constantly evolving— it is transformative, dynamic, and expansive. What are key challenges for space operators in 2025? India is considered one of Australia most significant strategic partners in the Indo-Pacific. Why was India selected and what opportunities exist in India for Australian space-firms?