The 2026 Allan Gyngell Lecture was delivered by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong. Senator Wong paid tribute to Allan Gyngell’s influence on her thinking, reflected on multiculturalism as a source of national strength, and framed Australia’s strategic choices in an increasingly uncertain world. 

Following her address, the Foreign Minister joined the Lowy Institute's Executive Director, Dr Michael Fullilove AM for a conversation. They discussed  the stabilisation of Australia's relationship with China, AUKUS, Senator Wong’s dealings with the Trump administration and Secretary Rubio, and the declining relevance of the United Nations. 

The 2026 Allan Gyngell Lecture was delivered by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong. Senator Wong paid tribute to Allan Gyngell&rsquo;s influence on her thinking, reflected on multiculturalism as a source of national strength, and framed Australia&rsquo;s strategic choices in an increasingly uncertain world.&nbsp;
Following her address, the Foreign Minister joined the Lowy Institute's Executive Director, Dr Michael Fullilove AM for a conversation. They discussed&nbsp; the stabilisation of Australia's relationship with China, AUKUS, Senator Wong&rsquo;s dealings with the Trump administration and Secretary Rubio, and the declining relevance of the United Nations.&nbsp;

Listen to all of our events in one place. Featuring distinguished speakers from around the globe on foreign policy, defence, politics, economics, aid and development.

Listen to all of our events in one place. Featuring distinguished speakers from around the globe on foreign policy, defence, politics, economics, aid and development.

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The Lowy Institute is a leading international think tank that looks at the world from Australia’s perspective.

This channel aggregates audio from across all of our event and podcast channels.

The Lowy Institute is a leading international think tank that looks at the world from Australia’s perspective.
This channel aggregates audio from across all of our event and podcast channels.

Lowy Institute

2026 Allan Gyngell Lecture: Senator Penny Wong

The Australia–India relationship has taken on growing significance in recent years, a point echoed by policy leaders as they welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his recent visit.

Hear from leading experts as they analyse the recent visit by PM Modi and explore how the two countries can deepen their collaboration and work together in a range of strategic areas. The panellists discuss the opportunities and challenges across defence, trade, investment and energy.

The conversation will be led by Shruti Pandalai, the inaugural Lowy Institute India Chair, and feature Dhruva Jaishankar, the inaugural Dr Ram Sethi Fellow at the Lowy Institute and Executive Director of Observer Research Foundation America.

The Australia&ndash;India relationship has taken on growing significance in recent years, a point echoed by policy leaders as they welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his recent visit.
Hear from leading experts as they analyse the recent visit by PM Modi and explore how the two countries can deepen their collaboration and work together in a range of strategic areas. The panellists discuss the opportunities and challenges across defence, trade, investment and energy.
The conversation will be led by Shruti Pandalai, the inaugural Lowy Institute India Chair, and feature Dhruva Jaishankar, the inaugural Dr Ram Sethi Fellow at the Lowy Institute and Executive Director of Observer Research Foundation America.

Mission critical: Why India matters for Australia’s economic future

India matters to Australia more than ever — as a strategic partner, a major trading economy, and a fellow member of the Quad — at a moment when Indo-Pacific security is deeply contested. Hear from leading experts as they examine the India–Australia relationship and how the two countries can deepen their collaboration to help shape a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

Building on the momentum of Prime Minister Modi's recent visit to Australia, the panel explores the evolving architecture of defence cooperation between the two nations, and whether this partnership is consolidating into a strategic entente capable of meeting the demands of an increasingly contested region.

The conversation was moderated by Sam Roggeveen, Director of the Lowy Institute’s International Security Program, and featured Dhruva Jaishankar, the inaugural Dr Ram Sethi Fellow at the Lowy Institute and Executive Director of Observer Research Foundation America, as well as Shruti Pandalai, the inaugural Lowy Institute India Chair.

India matters to Australia more than ever &mdash; as a strategic partner, a major trading economy, and a fellow member of the Quad &mdash; at a moment when Indo-Pacific security is deeply contested. Hear from leading experts as they examine the India&ndash;Australia relationship and how the two countries can deepen their collaboration to help shape a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
Building on the momentum of Prime Minister Modi's recent visit to Australia, the panel explores the evolving architecture of defence cooperation between the two nations, and whether this partnership is consolidating into a strategic entente capable of meeting the demands of an increasingly contested region.
The conversation was moderated by Sam Roggeveen, Director of the Lowy Institute&rsquo;s International Security Program, and featured Dhruva Jaishankar, the inaugural Dr Ram Sethi Fellow at the Lowy Institute and Executive Director of Observer Research Foundation America, as well as Shruti Pandalai, the inaugural Lowy Institute India Chair.

Preferred partners: India-Australia defence cooperation in a changing Indo Pacific

Power politics is intensifying. Economies are sputtering. Living standards are falling. Societal change is dizzying. When Australians look at the world today, they don’t like what they see. 

Now in its 22nd year, the 2026 Lowy Institute Poll captures how Australians feel about a world order that is rapidly slipping away.

With economic pessimism on the rise and feelings of safety deteriorating, Australians have come to see the United States and China as two superpowers they distrust in equal measure.

As the liberal international order gives way to something that is illiberal and disorderly, the Poll offers insight into how the public feels about Australia’s place in a more troubling world.

Hear from the Poll's author, Charles Lyons-Jones, alongside the Hon Dr Andrew Leigh, Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition and Charities and Nicola Smith, Canberra Bureau Chief of the Australian Financial Review. 

This event was recorded on Thursday 2 July 2026 at the National Press Club in Canberra.

Power politics is intensifying. Economies are sputtering. Living standards are falling. Societal change is dizzying. When Australians look at the world today, they don&rsquo;t like what they see.&nbsp;
Now in its 22nd year, the 2026 Lowy Institute Poll captures how Australians feel about a world order that is rapidly slipping away.
With economic pessimism on the rise and feelings of safety deteriorating, Australians have come to see the United States and China as two superpowers they distrust in equal measure.
As the liberal international order gives way to something that is illiberal and disorderly, the Poll offers insight into how the public feels about Australia&rsquo;s place in a more troubling world.
Hear from the Poll's author, Charles Lyons-Jones, alongside the&nbsp;Hon Dr Andrew Leigh, Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition and Charities and&nbsp;Nicola Smith, Canberra Bureau Chief of the&nbsp;Australian Financial Review.&nbsp;
This event was recorded on Thursday 2 July 2026 at the National Press Club in Canberra.

2026 Allan Gyngell Lecture: Senator Penny Wong

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