Any optimism the author feels is probably misplaced.

Gillard has so far proven herself the most inward looking PM in living memory. She has demonstrated so little interest in foreign policy that she has delegated the foreign poly making and representative task to a natural political competitor - Kevin Rudd.

Rudd's appearance as a China-entranced PM set the tone for Australia lack of interest in moving closer to India. That trend will continue under Rudd the Foreign Minister. Hence the author's "Fifth" reason for optimism (over China) is entirely misplaced.

The "Fourth" optimism that Australia will see a Quadrilateral/China containment initiative more favourably is also poorly based. China is simply too important to Australia economically.

Labor's ultra slim majority also means that it is unlikely to favour uranium to India as this would alienate support from the Greens.

Optimism might be career enhancing, but when one considers Australia's foreign policy actors Rudd active, Gillard mostly ignorant, India needs to be realistic.

Pete
http://gentleseas.blogspot.com/2010/08/australia-election-august-21-2010-need.html