Australian High Commissioner Philip Green Relishes a Train Ride to Chandigarh

On a bright Wednesday morning, Philip Green, Australia’s High Commissioner to India, boarded the Shatabdi Express bound for Chandigarh. He later posted a short video from the station, smiling and saying, “Our Prime Minister says, if you want to get to know India, get on a train. So here I am, on the Shatabdi, heading to the twin capital of Punjab and Haryana.”

Green, who has been in New Delhi for the past several months, described the rail trip as a “great opportunity to talk to people.” He laughed that conversations on Indian trains inevitably turn to cricket, and that sometimes a friendly family even offers a snack or a cup of tea. “That’s the way it is here,” he wrote, “on the train and in the country – warm, informal, and a little messy, just the way I like it.”

The High Commissioner’s enthusiasm echoes the advice of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who often tells Australians that the best way to understand India is by hopping on a bus or a train. Albanese recalled his own first‑hand experience when he visited India as a backpacker in 1991, describing it as a “wonderful experience” and urging others to travel the length and breadth of the sub‑continent to feel its pulse.

During his brief stop in Chandigarh, Green has a packed agenda: meetings with state officials, business leaders, and representatives of the Indian diaspora. He said he looks forward to “exploring opportunities in Punjab and Haryana to further deepen Australia‑India ties,” especially in areas like agriculture, renewable energy, and, of course, cricket exchanges.

In a follow‑up post on X (formerly Twitter), Green added a bit of friendly banter, noting that the train ride gave him time to stare out the window at the changing landscapes – from the bustling outskirts of Delhi to the wide‑open fields of the north. “It’s not just about getting from point A to B,” he wrote, “it’s about soaking in the everyday rhythm of India.”

Albanese’s own remarks, delivered in the Australian Parliament earlier this year, highlighted the strategic importance of the Indo‑Australian partnership. He pointed out that India is set to become the world’s third‑largest economy within the decade, and that the two nations are already linked by the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement, cultural exchanges, and the shared love of cricket.

Green’s train journey may seem a small anecdote, but it underscores a broader diplomatic message: genuine engagement often starts with simple, human interactions. Whether it’s sharing a samosa on a moving carriage or swapping anecdotes about a last‑over thriller, these moments help build the kind of trust that fuels deeper cooperation.

So the next time you see a Shatabdi or a local express whizzing past, remember that diplomats, journalists, and curious travelers alike are using those rattling tracks to bridge continents, one conversation at a time.