Australian High Commissioner India: “Sometimes, a charming Indian family offers me some food.” Australian High Commissioner takes a train to experience India, and it is strikingly similar to their Prime Minister’s 1991 backpacking trip
The Australian High Commissioner to India decided to do something unusual in order to take a break from his diplomatic routine.While diplomats usually travel in a certain way, with official cars, tight schedules, and controlled settings. He chose to skip the envoy and hop onto a regular train instead;The top Australian diplomat in India decided to take a train journey between two major cities and described the humble daily life of the people in India.
Australian High Commissioner to India, Philip, takes a train ride to explore the humble side of the country
Australian High Commissioner to India, Philip Green, recently took a break from the usual diplomatic schedule to see a more routine side of the country. Recently, he shared a video on the official X account of the Australian High Commission, documenting his journey aboard the Shatabdi Express from New Delhi to Chandigarh.In the video, Green referred back to something Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had said during his India visit earlier this year. According to Albanese’s own remarks, shared during his trip to India in 2026, he encouraged people to experience the country by rail, saying anyone who genuinely wants to understand India should travel by train.Green then described his own experience on the Shatabdi, sharing glimpses of the route and sharing what makes rail travel in India different from other places in the world. According to the High Commissioner, “It’s a great opportunity to meet people, have a conversation. Invariably, we talk about cricket. Sometimes, a charming Indian family offers me some food.”He summed up the experience simply, adding, “That’s the way it is here in India, and on trains.”Beyond the train ride itself, Green also spoke about how he was looking ahead to explore opportunities in Punjab and Haryana, and to strengthening ties between India and Australia.
His outlook about India was quite the same as the Australian PM
Interestingly, Green’s remarks were similar to what Australian Prime Minister Albanese had mentioned about his own first visit to India back in 1991, when he backpacked across the country for several weeks. According to a transcript of his remarks from earlier this year, Albanese recalled, “I travelled a bit differently in those days. I do want to say, if you want to understand India, get on a bus or train. It is a wonderful experience to see firsthand the warmth that is there.“
Social media hails his efforts
The post has since gone viral on social media and has amassed numerous comments online. One user wrote, “India is the only country in the whole world to its name there is an ocean and Australia is the only country in the whole world to its name there is a continent”, another added, “Thank you sir for exploring the country as we love to do and appreciating the journey and the experience !”. A third user wrote, “An exceptional diplomatic visit! Travelling by train offers an authentic window into the heart of the region. Deepening trade, technology, and cultural ties between Australia and Punjab and Haryana opens exciting new avenues for collaboration.”
