In a historic and symbolic moment for multicultural Australia, Varun Ghosh has been elected to a full six-year term in the Australian Senate from Western Australia, becoming the first Indian heritage Senator to take oath on Bhagavad Gita.
In an exclusive interview, with South Asian Herald Senator Ghosh noted, “The incoming Australian Parliament in 2025 could be the most diverse in our history by a wide margin. This progress has been driven by the Australian Labor Party [ALP], whose caucus now truly reflects the gender and cultural diversity of modern Australia.”
He expressed hope that Parliament will continue to evolve alongside the nation’s diversity and growing global identity, emphasizing, “We need leadership that mirrors the community.”
Senator Ghosh previously served in the Senate as the ALP’s nominee to fill the vacancy left by Patrick Dodson. Now elected in his own right, he enters Parliament with a strong policy-driven agenda and a profound dedication to public service. “I’m a Hindu,” he stated proudly, “and at the heart of that commitment is this invocation to fulfill your dharma, or duty.”
Not the Last: Senator Ghosh’s Gita Oath and Australia’s Growing Global Voice
Senator Ghosh recently made history as the first Australian Senator to be sworn in on the Bhagavad Gita, a revered Hindu scripture. Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong acknowledged the significance of the moment during the swearing-in ceremony. As Ghosh walked alongside her and Senator Farrell, she told him, “When you’re the first at something, you’ve got to make sure you’re not the last.”
According to the Senator, he often draws strength and direction from two principles in the Bhagavad Gita:
- That one must carry out their duties without attachment to outcomes.
- That the path to wisdom comes through humility, self-inquiry, and service to those who hold knowledge.
“These ideas have really guided my approach,” he explains. “It’s about being unselfish, staying focused on the task, and respecting the process of learning and service. That’s been true as a lawyer and now in politics.”
Senator Ghosh emphasizes that his swearing-in marks more than just a personal milestone. In his view, it reflects the growing inclusion and cultural confidence of Australia, a nation he describes as becoming increasingly global in its identity. He sees his election as further evidence of the Labor Party’s commitment to diversity and social equity—values he believes are visible not only in its policies but in its people.
A Mandate for Progress
Reflecting on Labor’s recent electoral win, Ghosh emphasized that it was “a message of optimism” from the Australian people:
“Australians believe in a bright future. They want economic growth, yes, but inclusive growth. They want high-quality jobs, strong Medicare, and fair access to education.”
Education, in particular, has been central to Senator Ghosh’s political motivation. He is especially proud of Labor’s commitment to fully funding public schools through the Schooling Resource Standard, a concept developed by David Gonski to ensure all students receive the support they need to thrive.
“Access to high-quality education is one of the top aspirations for Australians,” he said. “It was central to my upbringing, and it’s at the core of why I entered public life.”
The roots of Resilience
Born and raised in Australia to Indian migrant parents, Senator Ghosh credits his family with instilling a deep respect for learning and humility: “We grew up surrounded by books and conversations. Like many Indian households, education was paramount. My parents worked really hard and taught us to do the same.”
He believes his Indian heritage and Australian upbringing give him a unique perspective. Reflecting on his frequent visits to India, he said they offered a view into life beyond tourism into a society marked by resilience and ingenuity. “You can’t go to India and not be struck by people’s optimism and resourcefulness even among those with very little. That perspective has shaped my politics.”
Senator Ghosh sees the growing Indian diaspora in Australia as a powerful force. “Indians in Australia are thriving across the board—business, academia, medicine, law. They bring energy, ambition, and high educational achievement. They are helping shape modern Australia.”
Strengthening the Australia-India Bond
Senator Ghosh recalls with pride attending the Indian Ocean Conference in Perth just a week after entering Parliament—an event that brought together Foreign Ministers Penny Wong and Dr. S. Jaishankar. “You could see the mutual respect between them,” he said. “That relationship is going from strength to strength under Prime Minister Albanese and Prime Minister Modi.”
Trade has become a cornerstone of this bilateral relationship, particularly under the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA). “Our economies are complementary,” he noted. “There are real gains on both sides from agricultural exports to services and technology. We need to keep building on this.”
He supports government initiatives such as the Australia-India Business Exchange and accelerator programs to facilitate greater investment and enterprise between the two nations. “One of the ongoing questions has been: how do you get Indian firms to operate in Australia effectively, and how do you get Australian firms to operate in India effectively?” he said. “Breaking down those barriers is critical to future growth.” he emphasized.
Toward a Shared Future
Senator Ghosh reflected on the evolving architecture of regional partnerships, particularly the significance of the QUAD comprising Australia, India, Japan, and the United States as a framework for promoting a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific.
While the Indian diaspora plays a vital role in deepening Australia-India ties, Senator Ghosh acknowledged that in trilateral settings, like those between Australia, India, and the United States, Japan remains an integral pillar. “Japan may not have the same diaspora presence in Australia or the US, but it brings depth in strategic, economic, and historical partnerships,” he said, pointing to the long-standing Japan–Australia relationship and Japan’s growing alignment with India as evidence of a robust trilateral synergy.
Senator Ghosh noted that enduring international partnerships are built not just on shared interests, but on shared values and mutual trust. “Relationships deepen when people of goodwill and vision, who trust one another—hold leadership and sub-leadership roles,” he said.
He also highlighted the unique role of the Indian diaspora in strengthening economic linkages between Australia and India. Referencing DFAT’s landmark 2022 report Australia’s Indian Diaspora: A National Asset, he underscored how this community is helping forge stronger business and investment ties not only at the level of major corporations, but also through a growing network of entrepreneurs and SMEs. He also called for more grassroots exchanges between Australia and India across education, culture, and innovation, believing these people-to-people connections will provide the foundation for long-term strategic and economic ties.
Looking ahead, Senator Ghosh welcomed the evolution of trilateral formats and regional cooperation. “We’re seeing parallel trilaterals—like Australia–Indonesia–France and India–Indonesia–France—emerge as new ways to advance shared strategic interests. It’s an exciting time for regional collaboration.”
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