Australian High Commissioner Philip Green Takes a Scenic Shatabdi Ride to Chandigarh, Embracing the Indian Rail Experience

On Wednesday, Australia’s High Commissioner to India, Philip Green, boarded the Shatabdi Express heading for Chandigarh. He later posted a short video on X – the platform many still call Twitter – saying he “thoroughly enjoyed the journey.”

Green noted that riding the train was more than just a commute; it was “a great opportunity” to strike up conversations with fellow passengers. Unsurprisingly, the chat quickly turned to cricket, the sport that seems to bridge any cultural gap on Indian rails.

He also recalled an anecdote where a friendly Indian family offered him some homemade snacks – a small but heartfelt reminder of the hospitality that travelers often talk about. “That’s the way it is here in India, on the train and everywhere,” he laughed, adding a casual pause before continuing, “So, get on the train, enjoy India.”

Green’s tweet also echoed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s well‑known advice that anyone who truly wants to understand India should hop on a bus or a train. “Our Prime Minister says, if you want to get to know India, get on a train,” Green wrote, “so I do as often as I can.”

Arriving in Chandigarh – the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana – the envoy had a full day of meetings scheduled. He expressed optimism about exploring new avenues for trade, education and cultural exchange between the two countries, especially in the north‑Indian states.

The High Commissioner concluded his post by saying he looked forward to “deepening Australia‑India ties” and thanked everyone who made his train ride a memorable slice of Indian life.