Australia's relationship with India is critical for the future and a round of informal high-level talks could be a "game changer", delegates say.
Business, academic and government thinkers are meeting in New Delhi on Tuesday amid stiff competition for global tech talent and the need to secure supply chains for critical minerals and energy.
Co-chaired by tech billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes and Australia India Institute CEO Lisa Singh, the event brings together high-profile Australian delegates with Indian counterparts.
Ms Singh said the Australia-India Leadership Dialogue was critical because ideas matter as much as transactions and negotiations.
"In other words, the relationship is far too important to be left to the two governments alone."
Ms Singh said emerging tech was the next step for the bilateral relationship.
"Emerging technology is seen as a key driver for Australia and India to deepen ties, particularly as Australia wants to find alternative markets to China and diversify supply chains for its critical minerals," she said.
"This 2022 Leadership Dialogue can act as a game changer for the future Australia-India footprint."
Fortescue Metals CEO Andrew Forrest, head of the Business Council of Australia Jennifer Westacott, and the Vice-Chancellor of University of Sydney Mark Scott are among delegates.
Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong will deliver a video address as part of the so-called Track 1.5 Dialogue.
Mr Cannon-Brookes, co-CEO and co-founder of tech firm Atlassian, said the relationship between India and Australia was significant for tech talent.
"India's tech talent is world-class, and we want to hire the smartest technical minds," he said.
Since opening locally in 2018, India has become home to the company's fastest growing R&D site globally.
"Our engineers are working on hard problems, and significant products for our overall strategy - it's a true R&D hub for us," he said.
Closed sessions will cover new international threats, opportunities for clean technology, tech talent and skills, and digital service delivery for everyday life.
