The Australia India Chamber of Commerce (AICC) is delighted to announce the appointment of Jasmine Batra and Shalabh Narain as the new convenors for its 'Technology, Innovation & Startups' National Industry Group. Their combined expertise and leadership will play a pivotal role in enhancing bilateral ties and fostering innovation between Australia and India.

India has emerged as a global innovation leader, being the top innovation destination in Asia and the third-largest in the world for imported research and development. This position highlights India's importance in the global tech landscape and underscores the critical role innovation will play in sustaining its economic growth over the next two decades. India's thriving startup ecosystems and cutting-edge technology clusters attract significant foreign investments, leveraging a vast talent pool and a large, diverse market. Additionally, India's proximity to regional markets and multinational corporations further solidifies its status as a prime hub for research and entrepreneurship.

Australia, known for its expertise in agritech, health, water management, energy efficiency, and renewables, is perfectly positioned to collaborate with India. Meanwhile, India's strengths in data analytics, biotech, and mobile applications are set to drive Australian innovation into the information age. This collaboration is crucial for building strong knowledge networks and enhancing Australia's international standing in innovation and commercialisation.

Jasmine Batra, a seasoned professional with two decades of experience in technology, innovation, and startups, will bring invaluable insights to her role as convenor. As the Managing Director of Arrow Digital, a renowned digital growth agency, Jasmine has supported a wide range of enterprises, from early-stage startups to global tech giants like Telstra and AGL. Her efforts have guided numerous clients through successful funding rounds and high-value exits, including acquisitions by industry leaders such as News Ltd Fairfax and NAB Ventures.

Jasmine is a respected mentor for various Federal, State, and university programs, and she leads 'The Big LEAP', an AusIndustry-backed initiative accelerating Australian tech companies' entry into the Indian market. With an Honors in Systems Management and an MBA in Marketing from Lucknow University, where she earned the Governor’s Medal in Academic Excellence, Jasmine is a distinguished author and podcaster who has significantly contributed to empowering business leaders and entrepreneurs along the Australia-India corridor.

Shalabh Narain, a prominent figure in technology and business transformation, serves as Vice President at HCLTech, a $13 billion global technology leader. With a career spanning two decades across regions including ANZ, Japan, Southeast Asia, India, Europe, and the USA, Shalabh has facilitated tech-enabled business transformations for numerous global businesses. An engineer with an MBA and a certified SAP professional, Shalabh is dedicated to harnessing technology to positively impact the ecosystem and the planet.

The AICC is confident that Jasmine Batra and Shalabh Narain's appointments will significantly strengthen the 'Technology, Innovation & Startup' National Industry Group, driving forward the Australia-India partnership in technology and innovation.