23-Nov-2022: Australia and India partnering to address India’s water challenges

Sustainable management of water is a key challenge for both Australia and India.  Collaboration in water research, training, and education between our two countries is growing rapidly through several activities supported by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, the Australian Water Partnership, Western Sydney University, and the Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati.

In this pursuit, the National Hydrology Project, Department of Water Resources, RD & GR, Ministry of Jal Shakti has initiated an innovative Young Water Professional Program in collaboration with Western Sydney University and Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, lead of the Australia India Water Centre. The objective of this program are to build the capacity of Young Water Professionals (YWPs) and to provide them with the required knowledge, skills, attitude, and aptitude to offer their best in the country's water sector by accepting leadership roles and responsibilities.

The Young Water Professional Program focuses on gender equality and diversity. The first phase of this Programme has selected 20 young officers (10 men and 10 women) from the National Hydrology Project's central and state implementing agencies. While conducting this program, the Australia India Water Centre brought together eight universities and one State Government Department from Australia and 16 IITs and key universities of India. The concluding event of this 11-month YWP program was organised on 23rd Nov. 2022 in which Ms. Debashree Mukherjee, Special Secretary, DOWR, RD & GR, Ministry of Jal Shakti presided as Chief Guest.

‘India and Australia are natural partners and this collaboration to train young water professionals is an important step in the right direction’, said Ms. Debashree Mukherjee. “I am particularly inspired by the equal participation of women. She stressed the need to orienting capacity building initiatives to meet the challenges likely to be posed by climate change and emphasized that the departments, institutions and academia need to break the silos in which they are working and holistic approach be adopted while dealing with water. She expressed satisfaction that the Yong water Professional Programme has been designed accordingly.    

On this occasion, Western Sydney University, with the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Australian Water Partnership also launched an app for farmers and ordinary citizens, ‘My Well’.  It is a citizen science tool for participatory monitoring and visualisation of groundwater, surface water, rainfall, water quality, check dam water levels, and other parameters. This app will be used by villagers trained to manage their groundwater resources. Ms. Debashree Mukherjee, highlighted the importance of validated crowd sourced data to ensure community involvement in water resources management and emphasized the need to integrate the validated crowd-sourced data in the central database being managed by NWIC.

“The YWP program is unique as 70 percent of the program focuses on project-based learning with real-world situations and clients”, said Professor Deborah Sweeny, Dy. Vice-Chancellor of Western Sydney University. “It not only provides technical capacity building, but it also develops the critical thinking, problem-solving, leadership, and project management skills needed for management of water resources and water management reforms in India’, she said.  Emphasizing the need for Collaboration between Australia and India,’ Professor Sweeny said. ‘Collaboration is the key for Australia and India, and partnerships drive our SDG impact, including through this important network which brings together key players to tackle the significant water challenges of our two countries.

Mr. Anand Mohan, Joint Secretary, DOWR, RD & GR hoped that the trainee officers who have undergone this course would have grasped trans-disciplinary aspects of water management, as opposed to focusing solely on engineering components, and would be in a position to work on real-world problems. He further stressed that it is crucial that whatever ideas or practices are considered for implementation are suitable to the Indian context, as this is the only way to ensure the success of such initiatives. Mr Anand Mohan informed that DoWR, RD & GR intend to organise phase II of YWP in the next year under NHP in collaboration with Australia India Water Centre.

Professor T.G. Sitharam, Director, the Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati stressed the need for additional storages in the country to tap the monsoon flows. ‘’Considering the importance of water in   Indian Scenario, the youth of the country is required to be prepared to face challenges in managing water resources. According, IIT Guwahati in collaboration with  Western Sydney University is  rolling out an online Joint Master’s program in Sustainable Water Futures, “This degree is based on short courses - micro-credentials - and provides a great opportunity to build the capacity of water professionals through the joint delivery by Australian and Indian partners of the Australia-India Water Centre,” said Professor Sitharam.

16-Nov-2022: Prime Minister's meeting with the Prime Minister of Australia on the sidelines of G-20 Summit in Bali

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi met Prime Minister of Australia H.E. Mr. Anthony Albanese on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit in Bali today.

Both Leaders expressed satisfaction at the excellent state of relations between the two countries under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the high-level interactions taking place on a regular basis between India and Australia. They reviewed the progress made in deepening cooperation across a diverse range of sectors, including defence, trade, education, clean energy and people-to-people ties. Institutional partnership in the field of education, especially in higher education, vocational education, training and capacity building was discussed in detail.

The Leaders exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, which included their shared vision for a stable and peaceful Indo-Pacific Region, climate related matters and India’s G20 Presidency.

Prime Minister looks forward to welcoming Prime Minister Albanese in India at an early opportunity.

21-Oct-2022: Promoting Indo-Australian bilateral trade and investments Shri Nitin Gadkari emphasizes on great investing opportunities in India including the transport infrastructure sector.

Promoting Indo-Australian bilateral trade and investments Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari emphasized about the great investing opportunities in India including the transport infrastructure sector. Among various meetings in New South Wales, Sydney, Australia Shri Gadkari had a fruitful interaction with Australian Senator Mr. Ayres, Assistant Minister for Trade and Manufacturing.

Shri Gadkari and Mr. Ayres discussed about the excellent investment opportunities for Australian Investors in the Roads and Transport sector in India. The Minister said the trade relations between the two nations is upbeat & win-win for both the countries with technology & innovation being the key drivers for future growth.

Shri Gadkari visited the Research Center for Integrated Transportation Innovation (rCITI) at University of New South Wales, Sydney. rCITI in collaboration with IAHE and Indian Mobility Industries will work together to build the Center for Advanced Transportation Technology and Systems (CATTS) in India. A testimony of Indo-Australian Partnership, CATTS will serve as Centre of Excellence to build capacities in the fields of smart transport systems.

The Minister had a meeting with the Team of Australia-India Infrastructure Forum (AIIF) in Sydney, hosted by Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC).

Shri Gadkari had a  meeting with Mr. John Hopkins, CEO of Export Finance Australia. Discussions pertained to effects of India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) on trade and bilateral investments between the two countries. The Minister said India's export of goods and services to Australia will increase in the coming years with the fostering of strong India-Australia Partnership under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

Shri Gadkari also visited Australia’s largest Motorway Control Centre (MCC), managed by Transurban at St. Peters NSW in Sydney. This facility streamlines the coordination of critical incidents and maintenance and network wide traffic monitoring, including the Tunnels.

Later addressing program organised by University of NSW Shri Gadkari talked about the crucial role of Infrastructure in the growth and prosperity of countries. He highlighted the seamless opportunities to expand the infrastructure partnership between India and Australia.

22-Aug-2022: Shri Dharmendra Pradhan holds bilateral meetings and co-chairs the 6th meeting of Australia India Education Council with Australian Counterpart HE Jason Clare

Union Minister for Education & Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Shri Dharmendra Pradhan held a bilateral meeting and co-chaired the 6th meeting of Australia India Education Council (AIEC) with Australian Counterpart His Excellency Jason Clare at Western Sydney University (WSU) today.

During the Bilateral meeting, the Ministers had fruitful discussions on further strengthening cooperation in education, skill development, research, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Shri Dharmendra Pradhan welcomed Australian universities and skilling institutions to set up their campuses in India and explore areas of collaboration with Indian institutions. He also invited HE Jason Clare to visit India by the end of this year. Ministers also agreed to expand the cooperation in learning, skilling and research with a view to make education a key pillar under the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

In the 6th meeting of the Australia-India Education Council, Shri Pradhan said that AIEC is a highly effective forum to further advance ties and boost engagements in education, skill development and research priorities. He invited Australian team to hold the 7th meeting of the AIEC in India next year.

Shri Pradhan stressed on the research collaboration between the two countries in the areas of Ayurveda, Yoga, Agriculture, etc. He called for collaboration in skill certification and areas like mining, logistics management, etc. He further said that India has set up Digital University and Gati Shakti University for which the two countries can work together to develop curriculum and other aspects.

Shri Pradhan also raised the issue of pending visas of Indian students going to Australia. The Australian Minister has assured cooperation in expediting the pending visas. Later, the Ministers also held a Joint Press Conference in which they announced establishment of a working group on transnational education to build shared understanding of the regulatory settings in both countries and promote opportunities for two-way mobility of institutions. Shri Pradhan reiterated that India remains committed to build knowledge bridges and deepen bilateral engagements with Australia in education, skilling and research for mutual growth and prosperity.

Along with HE Sarah Mitchell MLC, NSW Minister for Education, Shri Pradhan will be visiting a school. He will also visit TAFE NSF and The University of New South Wales (UNSW) based in Sydney, where he will be interacting with the Vice-Chancellors and senior representatives of the Australian Government, Department of Education.

8-Jun-2022: Cabinet approves Memorandum of Understanding between India and Australia for Technical Cooperation for Australia-India Water Security Initiative (AIWASI)

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, was apprised the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Government of India and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Government of Australia for Technical Cooperation in urban water management.  The MoU has been signed in December, 2021.

MoU would reinforce bilateral cooperation between the two countries in the area of urban water security.  It would strengthen institutional capacities at all levels for urban water management; improve accessibility, affordability & quality of water and sanitation services; promote circular economy of water & water secure cities; encourage climate resilient water management practices; enhance community participation in water management and improve social inclusion through initiatives for accessible infrastructure.

MoU will enable both sides to learn about technological advancements gained by two nations in key areas of urban water security and will promote exchange of learning, best practices and capacity building of institutions.  This will help towards realisation of AatmaNirbhar Bharat.

7-Apr-2022: Education will act as a bridge between India and Australia

The Minister of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Textiles, Shri Piyush Goyal today said Education will act as a bridge between India and Australia. Education and Commerce, engaging with Technology, will empower us towards Action, he said.

“It has always been an important element of our partnership. In the post-Covid world, we must explore possibilities of hybrid programmes,” said Shri Goyal, in his address during an Interaction with Students of New South Wales (UNSW) in Sydney.

Terming the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (IndAus ECTA) as a “natural partnership”, Shri Goyal said India is looking at tripling steel production capacity and energy efficiency.

“A lot of the good work that researchers come up with does not get that kind of scale, that kind of opportunity to operationalize,” said Shri Goyal. “With that scale we can make medical care more affordable, with that scale we can make technology come to serve larger numbers of people, manufactured at scale, using the talent that we have in both countries, possibly the talent in Australia coming up with game changing research, the talent in India helping it to manufacture that at scale, use that at scale, serving large sections of society in the world and from there taking it to the rest of the world. And I do believe that such partnerships are important for the world” he added.

Inviting the University of NSW to expand its footprint in India, Shri Goyal said the India-Australia partnership can truly transform the lives of our people.

Later addressing the Business Leaders Meeting, organised by Business Council of Australia, Shri Goyal said business will be the framework on which all other engagements between the two sides will prosper.

“You can actually take your technologies, take the wonderful innovations that you are generating out your laboratories, research institutions or universities to a large market like India, use the talent and skills that Indians offer, possibly to Make in India for the large Indian population and for the world, - Make in India for the World,” he said.

IndAus ECTA will help us double our bilateral trade in the next 5-6 years and by 2030 we must aspire for a $100 billion bilateral trade target, he said.

“I do agree that if you have to reach a 100 billion, we will have to drill it down to more specifics. In those specifics also comes in the soft power, e.g. we will have to look at much deeper engagements in our Science & Technology, in our research, in our education, we will have to align standards. So we will have to get our standards bodies to look at working with each other, so that products can seek seamless access in other’s markets,” said Shri Goyal, while interacting with the host of the show.

6-Apr-2022: India-Australia trade pact will raise bilateral trade from the present $26-27 billion to $100 billion by 2030

The Minister of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Textiles, Shri Piyush Goyal has said the India-Australia trade pact will raise bilateral trade from the present $26-27 billion to $100 billion by 2030, much faster than initial expectation of rising to $50 billion in five years. The excitement generated by the agreement has increased business optimism on both sides, he said while addressing the University of Melbourne along with Mr. Dan Tehan, Australian Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment in Melbourne today.

“Together this marriage can truly have far reaching dimensions for both our economies and, if I dare say, for the rest of the world also where we can collectively engage and have an outreach to other parts of the world,” he said.

The minister invited Australian businesses to invest in India. “We offer you transparency. We offer you our trust, rule of law. We are two democratic nations, two people who love sports, both are members of the Commonwealth,” he said.

The minister also addressed members of the business community from both countries at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Shri Goyal said India and Australia have complementarities that can benefit both countries, - India’s huge market and Australia’s investible surplus. He said the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (IndAus ECTA) will unlock the huge market of almost 1.4 billion consumers in India to Australian industries.

“We are now One, that’s what the Unity Agreement is all about. And at this watershed moment in our relations, I think it’s only appropriate that we break every barrier between the two countries whether it’s movement of goods, services, people, technology, education, science, medical knowledge, we break all these barriers, see how we can work together as true brothers,” said Shri Goyal.

Shri Goyal said there is huge potential in areas like textiles, pharma, hospitality, gems and jewellery, IT, Startups etc. and Accountancy in Services, that will create huge employment in both countries.

“Let’s see some more Tasmania lobsters in New Delhi possibly, or wine from South Australia coming down into Indian shelves, we’ll probably have a lot more Bangaloreans coming down to Melbourne to serve you in your IT space, we’ll have a lot more Jewellers from Prime Minister’s home state of Gujarat, from Surat coming down to sell their wares in the stores in Australia, lots to do together, lot of potential in different areas. I hope this partnership will grow and we will all grow along with this partnership,” he added.

Shri Goyal said there is huge scope for trade in Services. While Australia is a preferred destination for Higher Education for most Indians, the IndAus ECTA paved the way for resolution of a big obstacle for India’s IT sector to grow in Australia.

“I am delighted that we have been able to resolve a long pending issue about taxation of the IT industry that was kind of holding back greater business with Australia. That being behind us, there’s huge potential,” he said.

Shri Goyal observed that many thousand years ago, Australia and India were part of same supercontinent and then the brothers were separated due to continental break-up. Today, our governments are trying to bring them together with increasing partnership on political, economic, security and sporting front. Our relations are as strong and resilient as the mighty Pacific Ocean, he said.

“Well, as they say, there’s a saying in Hindi, ‘dair aaye, durrast aaye’, - Even though you may be late, but it’s good that you are there. And I think that’s the sentiment that the Indus-Ekta Agreement has for all of us,” he said.

Later, delivering the keynote address at Lunch with Business Leaders, organised by the Australia India Chamber of Commerce (AICC) in Melbourne, Shri Goyal termed the IndAus ECTA as an important milestone that will contribute to widespread development of multi-sectoral economic value chains. Shri Goyal said it will have a positive economic multiplier effect in both economies.

“I believe that here is a partnership between two countries which don’t compete with each other at all, they actually complement each other,” said Shri Goyal. “The focus that we are putting on Make in India dovetails so beautifully into the strengths of Australia, the natural bounty that you are all endowed with,” he said.

Shri Goyal said that India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken several bold initiatives since 2014 towards Ease of Living and Ease of Doing Business to ensure a better quality of life for all.

“We believe when the people of India have a better quality of basic necessities, they will be able to contribute much more to the Indian economy, to the society, be better citizens of the country. And the next stage, obviously, as the demand, as the expectations of our people increase, we will be needing to provide economic growth, we will be needing to provide jobs. There will be millions, hundreds of millions who will own their first automobile, there will be hundreds of millions who want to buy a dishwasher, a washing machine, there will be hundreds of millions who will be looking for better nutrition, better quality of healthcare, better quality of education,” said Shri Goyal.

“And that’s where the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement can actually make a significant impact on the lives of the people of India and similarly provide huge opportunities for the people of Australia, working together, to meet the needs and aspirations of this billion plus people,” he added.

Complimenting the leadership of Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Scott Morrison, Shri Goyal said the role of the former Australian Prime Minister and Australian PM’s Special Envoy on Trade, Mr. Tony Abbott and Australia’s Trade Minister, Mr. Dan Tehan were instrumental in capping the long pending trade pact between the two nations.

“The world is going through tumultuous times, we’ve been grappling with Covid and other situations which are a cause of serious concern for all of us, but within those boundaries of problems, I think, (the fact that) India and Australia have demonstrated a unity of mind, a unity of purpose and a shared commitment to come together, expand our people to people relations, expand our business to business relations, strengthen the political partnership of our two leaders and two governments,” he said.

Earlier, paying his tributes to the veteran cricketer, late Shane Warne who hailed from Melbourne, the Minister said that he had his admirers in India as well and that millions of cricket fans mourned over the sudden demise of the ‘King of Spin’.

“He was unique in more ways than one,” said Shri Goyal, conveying his deepest condolences to the cricketer’s family and friends.

2-Apr-2022: Signing of the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) between India and Australia

The Minister of Commerce and Industry, Minster of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and Minister of Textiles, Government of India, Shri Piyush Goyal, and Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Government of Australia, Mr. Dan Tehan, MP, signed the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement today, in a Virtual ceremony in presence of the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of Australia, Mr. Scott Morrison.

The salient features of India-Australia ECTA are as follows: The India-Australia ECTA is the first trade agreement of India with a developed country after more than a decade. The Agreement encompasses cooperation across the entire gamut of bilateral economic and commercial relations between the two friendly countries, and covers areas like Trade in Goods, Rules of Origin, Trade in Services, Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures, Dispute Settlement, Movement of Natural Persons, Telecom, Customs Procedures, Pharmaceutical products, and Cooperation in other Areas. Eight subject specific side letters covering various aspects of bilateral economic cooperation were also concluded as part of the Agreement.

Impact or benefits:

ECTA provides for an institutional mechanism to encourage and improve trade between the two countries. The ECTA between India and Australia covers almost all the tariff lines dealt in by India and Australia respectively. India will benefit from preferential market access provided by Australia on 100% of its tariff lines. This includes all the labour-intensive sectors of export interest to India such as Gems and Jewellery, Textiles, leather, footwear, furniture, food, and agricultural products, engineering products, medical devices, and Automobiles. On the other hand, India will be offering preferential access to Australia on over 70% of its tariff lines, including lines of export interest to Australia which are primarily raw materials and intermediaries such as coal, mineral ores and wines etc.

As regards trade in services, Australia has offered wide ranging commitments in around 135 sub sectors and Most Favoured Nation (MFN) in 120 sub sectors which cover key areas of India’s interest like IT, ITES, Business services, Health, Education, and Audio visual. Some of the key offers from Australia in the services space include: Quota for chefs and yoga teachers; Post study work visa of 2-4 years for Indian students on reciprocal basis; mutual recognition of Professional Services and Other licensed/regulated Occupations; and Work & Holiday visa arrangement for young professionals. On the other hand, India has offered market access to Australia in around 103 sub-sectors and Most Favoured Nation in 31 sub-sectors from the 11 broad service sectors such as ‘business services’, ‘communication services’, ‘construction and related engineering services’, and so on. Both sides have also agreed to a separate Annex on Pharmaceutical products under this agreement, which will enable fast track approval for patented, generic and biosimilar medicines.

Timelines: The negotiations for India-Australia ECTA were formally re-launched on 30 September 2021 and concluded on a fast-track basis by the end of March 2022.

Background:

India and Australia enjoy excellent bilateral relations that have undergone transformative evolution in recent years, developing along a positive track, into a friendly partnership. This is a special partnership characterized by shared values of a pluralistic, parliamentary democracies, Commonwealth traditions, expanding economic engagement, long standing people-to-people ties and increasing high level interaction. The India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership initiated during the India-Australia Leaders’ Virtual Summit held between Hon'ble Prime Minister of India His Excellency Shri Narendra Modi and Hon’ble Prime Minister of Australia His Excellency Mr. Scott Morrison MP, on 04 June 2020 is the cornerstone of our multi-faceted bilateral relations.

Growing India-Australia economic and commercial relations contribute to the stability and strength of a rapidly diversifying and deepening bilateral relationship between the two countries. India and Australia have been each other’s important trading partners. These excellent bilateral economic and commercial relations have continued to enhance and deepen over time. Australia is the 17th largest trading partner of India and India is Australia’s 9th largest trading partner. India-Australia bilateral trade for both merchandise and services is valued at US$ 27.5 billion in 2021. India’s merchandise exports to Australia grew 135% between 2019 and 2021. India’s exports consist primarily of a broad-based basket largely of finished products and were US$ 6.9 billion in 2021. India’s merchandise imports from Australia were US$ 15.1 billion in 2021, consisting largely of raw materials, minerals and intermediate goods.

India and Australia are partners in the trilateral Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI) arrangement along with Japan which seeks to enhance the resilience of supply chains in the Indo-Pacific Region. Further, India and Australia are also members of the recently formed Quad, also comprising US, and Japan, to further enhance cooperation and develop partnership across several issues of common concerns.

The India-Australia ECTA will further cement the already deep, close and strategic relations between the two countries and will significantly enhance bilateral trade in goods and services, create new employment opportunities, raise living standards, and improve the general welfare of the peoples of the two countries.

21-Mar-2022: Joint Statement: India-Australia virtual summit

The Honourable Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, and the Honourable Scott Morrison MP, Prime Minister of Australia, held the 2nd India-Australia Virtual Summit on 21 March 2022.

2. Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP). They welcomed the substantial progress in deepening political, economic, security, cyber, technology and defence cooperation. They underscored that the bilateral relationship has prospered on the strong foundations of trust, understanding, common interests and the shared values of democracy and the rule of law. They committed to holding Annual Summits to drive closer cooperation.

3. Leaders looked forward to India’s 2023 G20 presidency and reiterated their commitment to work closely on economic issues of global interests and concerns.

Economic and trade cooperation

4. Leaders committed to deepening the economic relationship under the CSP, including through the Australia India Business Exchange. Prime Minister Morrison was pleased to refer to the launch of the Australia India Infrastructure Forum and Australia’s intention to open a new Consulate-General in Bengaluru and the announcement of new initiatives to drive two-way trade and innovation, including cooperation on standards, future skills and a new Australia India Innovation Network.

5. Leaders welcomed the considerable progress made in the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) negotiations. They expressed satisfaction on the large degree of convergence on many of the elements which are close to finalisation. Leaders re-committed to concluding an Interim CECA at the earliest and work towards an ambitious, full CECA by the end of the year to enhance trade and investment ties and deepen the CSP. Leaders also welcomed the renewal of the India-Australia Memorandum of Understanding on Tourism Cooperation.

6. Leaders emphasised the importance of an early resolution of the issue of taxation of offshore income of Indian firms under the India Australia Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA).

7. Leaders reiterated their commitment to a free, fair, inclusive and rules-based trade environment. They reaffirmed their commitment to uphold and strengthen the rules based multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at its core, and looked forward to MC12 which has been agreed to be held in June. They noted the importance of working together to build, strengthen and diversify supply chains and avoid supply chain disruptions.

Climate, energy, science, technology and research cooperation

8. Leaders recognised the significant breadth of science and technology cooperation between the two countries. They welcomed the extension of the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund (AISRF) – a pillar of collaboration on science, technology and research – and the commitment to build on the successful 2021 India Australia Circular Economy Hackathon.

9. Leaders underscored their commitment to encouraging nationally appropriate actions to reduce emissions to address climate change, energy security and job creation, and continuing international collaboration, including through the Quad, the G20, the UNFCCC and International Solar Alliance. They noted the contribution of sustainable consumption and production, and resource-efficient, circular economies towards combating climate change. In this context, Leaders noted the importance of mindful consumption, more sustainable lifestyles and reducing waste. Prime Minister Modi reiterated the call for a global mass movement for sustainable lifestyles that promote mindful consumption and reduce waste.

10. Leaders welcomed the fourth India-Australia Energy Dialogue held between Minister Singh and Minister Taylor on 15 February 2022, supporting wider energy and resources collaboration. They welcomed the Letter of Intent between India and Australia on New and Renewable Energy Technology, which aims at driving down the cost of low and zero emissions technologies to be cost competitive with higher emitting alternatives, and committed to intensify cooperation on clean technologies, including through research and development for the required breakthroughs and through forums like Mission Innovation. Leaders also welcomed further multilateral energy cooperation ahead of the 2022 International Energy Agency (IEA) Ministerial meeting, including Australia’s funding contribution of $2 million to the IEA Clean Energy Transitions Programme to support enhanced IEA India activities and to progress a pathway to IEA membership for India. Leaders looked forward to India’s participation in the Sydney Energy Forum on clean energy supply chains in the Indo-Pacific to be held in July 2022.

11. Leaders noted that the global low carbon transition requires rapid development of clean technologies and equitable access to critical minerals. Leaders reiterated their shared commitment to cooperation on critical minerals and building secure, resilient and sustainable critical minerals supply chains. They expressed satisfaction on the progress made in taking the Implementation Plan forward by the India-Australia Joint Working Group, including technical exchanges between research and scientific organisations, and a bilateral business and investment roundtable. They welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between India’s Khanij Bidesh Ltd. (KABIL) and Australia’s Critical Minerals Facilitation Office for joint cooperation on critical minerals projects.

12. Leaders welcomed the inaugural India-Australia Foreign Ministers’ Cyber Framework Dialogue held between Minister Payne and Minister Jaishankar on 12 February 2022. They welcomed cooperation on cyber governance, cyber security, capacity building, cybercrime, digital economy, and critical and emerging technologies. They emphasised that technology should be designed, developed, governed and used consistent with our shared democratic values and respect for human rights. They reaffirmed their commitment to an open, secure, free, accessible, stable, peaceful and interoperable cyberspace and technologies that adhere to international law. They condemned attempts to use cyberspace and cyber-enabled technologies to undermine international peace and stability. They committed to working cooperatively to strengthen mutual cooperation in various multilateral fora, including in the United Nations in developing international standards, norms and frameworks for cyberspace.

13. Leaders recognised the importance of close cooperation on critical and emerging technology, and on establishing diverse and trusted technology supply chains. They welcomed the agreement to establish the India-Australia Centre of Excellence for Critical and Emerging Technology Policy in Bengaluru.

14. Leaders underlined the importance of India and Australia’s space engagement including Australia’s ongoing support of India’s Gaganyaan Space Program. Leaders encouraged expansion of bilateral space cooperation arising from India’s space sector reforms. Prime Minister Morrison was pleased to announce a dedicated India stream of the Australian Space Agency’s International Space Investment initiative.

People-to-people ties

15. Leaders acknowledged the strong people-to-people links between India and Australia. Prime Minister Morrison announced the establishment of the Centre for Australia India Relations, to be based in Australia, in addition to the new Maitri Scholarships Program, the Maitri Grants and Fellowships Program and the Australia India Maitri Cultural Partnership. Leaders’ welcomed the Letter of Intent on Migration and Mobility and called for the early conclusion of a Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement, which will support enhanced mobility for students and professionals. Prime Minister Modi welcomed the return of 29 artefacts by the Government of Australia. Leaders also welcomed the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation and Collaboration on Broadcasting between Prasar Bharati, India and SBS, Australia.

16. Leaders recognised the work of both countries to advance gender equality and agreed to continue working together to advance the empowerment of women and girls, including through addressing the gender gap in science, technology, engineering and maths disciplines.

17. With a view to expanding and optimizing the long-standing India Australia education and skilling relationship, and acknowledging the different systems in the two countries for the recognition of education qualifications, Leaders welcomed the arrangement to establish a Taskforce on Education Qualifications Recognition. The Taskforce will deliver a cooperative mechanism, within six months of its establishment, to improve arrangements for the recognition of qualifications (including those earned through diverse delivery modes) for access to higher education, and to support employment opportunities.

COVID-19 cooperation

18. Leaders agreed on the importance of the global interoperability of vaccination certificate solutions. Prime Minister Morrison welcomed India’s Vaccine Maitri Initiative and India’s significant role in global vaccination efforts.

19. Recognising their strong cooperation through the Quad and COVAX, Leaders reiterated their resolve to promote fair, timely and equitable access to high quality, safe, effective and affordable COVID-19 vaccines, treatments and critical medical supplies globally. They emphasised their ongoing cooperation to ensure delivery of high-quality vaccines to Indo-Pacific and global partners.

Security and defence cooperation

20. Leaders agreed to deepen cooperation to address security and defence threats and challenges and welcomed the establishment of the General Rawat India-Australia Young Defence Officer Exchange Program. They welcomed enhanced maritime information sharing and maritime domain awareness. They affirmed their commitment to build upon defence information sharing arrangements to coordinate more closely across the Indo Pacific. They looked forward to India’s participation in Australia’s Indo Pacific Endeavour exercise later this year.

21. Leaders underscored the importance of reciprocal access arrangements in facilitating deeper operational defence cooperation and its contribution towards free and open critical regional maritime corridors. Leaders reaffirmed following up on opportunities for further defence cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

22. Recognising that terrorism remains a threat to peace and stability in our region, the Leaders strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and the use of terrorist proxies for cross-border terrorism. They reiterated the urgent need for all countries to take immediate, sustained, verifiable and irreversible action to ensure that no territory under their control is used for terrorist attacks, and to expeditiously bring to justice the perpetrators of such attacks. They agreed to continue to share information and coordinate on counter-terrorism efforts bilaterally, and in Quad consultations and in multilateral fora.

Regional and multilateral cooperation

23. Leaders expressed their serious concern about the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. They reiterated the need for an immediate cessation of hostilities. They emphasised that the contemporary global order has been built on the UN Charter, international law and respect for sovereignty and the territorial integrity of states. They agreed to remain closely engaged on the issue and its broader implications for the Indo-Pacific.

24. Leaders expressed their shared commitment to a free, open and rules-based Indo Pacific, supported by a robust regional architecture, with ASEAN at its centre. They reaffirmed their commitment to an inclusive and prosperous region in which the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states is respected and countries are free from military, economic and political coercion.

25. Leaders underscored their commitment to the cooperation between India, Australia, Japan and the United States on advancing the Quad’s positive and ambitious agenda to promote regional stability and prosperity. They welcomed the virtual meeting between Quad Leaders in March 2022 and looked forward to the next in person Leaders’ meeting in the coming months. They also welcomed the close cooperation between India and Australia on the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative.

26. Prime Minister Modi appreciated the briefing by Prime Minister Morrison on the Australia-UK-US (AUKUS) partnership. Leaders recognised Australia’s commitment to not develop nuclear weapons and to uphold the highest standards of non-proliferation.

27. Leaders affirmed their commitment to further strengthening cooperation in the Indian Ocean region and with other Indian Ocean countries, including their support for the Indian Ocean Rim Association. Prime Minister Modi welcomed Australia’s enhanced engagement in the Indian Ocean in maritime and disaster preparedness, trade, investment and connectivity.

28. Leaders discussed their ongoing cooperation to support the Pacific’s resilience and recovery. Prime Minister Morrison welcomed India’s assistance to Tonga in the wake of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcanic eruption and tsunami and to Kiribati in in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Prime Minister Modi acknowledged Australia’s role in supporting the delivery of Indian HADR to these Pacific partners.

29. Leaders underlined the importance of being able to exercise rights and freedoms in all seas and oceans of the Indo-Pacific region, consistent with international law, particularly the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), including freedom of navigation and overflight. They emphasised that resolution of disputes should be carried out through peaceful means in accordance with international law without threat or use of force or any attempt to unilaterally change status quo and that countries should exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities that could complicate or escalate disputes affecting peace and stability. They reiterated the importance of adherence to international law, particularly as reflected in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), to meet challenges to the maritime rules-based order, including in the South China Sea. They called for any Code of Conduct in the South China Sea to be effective, substantive and fully consistent with international law, not prejudice the legitimate rights and interests of any nation, including those not party to these negotiations, under international law and support existing inclusive regional architecture.

30. Leaders called for the immediate cessation of violence against civilian populations in Myanmar, the release of all those arbitrarily detained, including foreigners, and unhindered humanitarian access. They urged Myanmar to implement ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus and encouraged the international community to work together to support an end to the violence.

31. Leaders reiterated their firm commitment to provide humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people, in view of the deteriorating humanitarian situation and also reaffirmed calls on those in positions of power across Afghanistan to adhere to counter terrorism commitments and human rights, in accordance with UNSCR 2593. They reiterated their call for protection of rights of women and girls and their full participation in public life. They agreed that a broad based and inclusive government is necessary for long term peace and stability in Afghanistan.

32. The meeting reinforced the warm, close bonds between India and Australia and the Leaders reiterated their commitment to driving the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to new heights.

21-Mar-2022: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of Australia Hon. Scott Morrison hold 2nd India Australia Virtual Summit

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of Australia Hon. Scott Morrison held the 2nd India-Australia Virtual Summit today during which they reviewed the multi-faceted relationship between the two countries and exchanged views on regional and global developments.

At the outset, Prime Minister Modi expressed his condolences on the destruction caused by severe flooding in New South Wales and Queensland, and the resultant loss of lives.

Both the leaders expressed satisfaction at the progress made under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established during the 1st Virtual Summit in June 2020. Prime Minister Modi expressed his satisfaction at the enhanced scope of the relationship which now covers diverse areas such as trade and investments, defence and security, education and innovation, science and technology, critical minerals, water management, new and renewable energy technology, Covid-19 related research, etc.

Prime Minister Modi thanked Hon. Scott Morrison for the special gesture in returning 29 ancient artefacts to India. These artefacts comprise sculptures, paintings and photographs, across centuries, some dating back to the 9th-10th century, from different parts of India. The artefacts include 12th century Chola bronzes, 11th-12th century Jain sculptures from Rajasthan, 12th-13th century sandstone Goddess Mahisasuramardini from Gujarat, 18th-19th century paintings and early gelatin silver photographs. 

Prime Minister Modi thanked Prime Minister Morrison for taking care of the Indian community, including the Indian students, in Australia during Covid-19 pandemic.

Both the leaders also appreciated the increasing strategic convergence between the two countries as fellow democracies with shared values and common interests, which include a free, open, inclusive, and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

A Joint Statement was issued on the occasion covering various aspects of the deepening Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Both sides also agreed to establish annual summits between the Prime Ministers under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, thus adding a special dimension to the bilateral relationship.

17-Mar-2022: India-Australia Virtual Summit

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of Australia H.E. Mr. Scott Morrison will hold the second India-Australia Virtual Summit on 21 March 2022. The Summit follows the historic first Virtual Summit of 4 June 2020 when the relationship was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

During the upcoming virtual summit, the Leaders will take stock of progress made on various initiatives under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The virtual summit will lay the way forward on new initiatives and enhanced cooperation in a diverse range of sectors between India and Australia. The Leaders are expected to commit to closer cooperation in trade, critical minerals, migration and mobility, and education, among others.

Views on regional and international issues of mutual interest will also be discussed by the Leaders. The Summit highlights the importance attached by both countries to their bilateral relations as also their close cooperation on regional and global issues.

The India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has maintained the momentum of an upward trajectory with both countries continuing to collaborate closely, despite the Covid-19 pandemic, in wide-ranging areas including science and technology, defence, cyber, critical and strategic materials, water resource management, as well as public administration and governance.

Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Morrison met in Washington DC for the first in-person meeting after the Covid-19 pandemic in September 2021 on the margins of the Quad Leaders’ Summit and jointly launched the Infrastructure for Resilient Island States (IRIS) in Glasgow on the margins of the COP26 in November 2021.

15-Feb-2022: Power and NRE Minister chairs 4th India - Australia Energy Dialogue

The 4th India – Australia Energy Dialogue was held on 15th February, 2022. The dialogue was co-chaired by Hon’ble Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy, Mr. R.K. Singh from the Indian side and Hon’ble Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction, Mr. Angus Taylor from the Australian side.

Energy Transition was a major area of discussion in the dialogue and both the Energy Ministers spoke in detail about the ongoing Energy Transition activities in their respective countries with focus on renewables, energy efficiency, storage, EVs, critical minerals, mining etc. The need of Climate Finance was also highlighted by India for meeting the Energy Transition goals of developing countries.

A Letter of Intent between India and Australia on New and Renewable Energy Technology was signed during the Dialogue. This LoI will pave the way for working towards reducing the cost of new and renewable energy technologies and scaling up deployment in order to accelerate global emissions reduction. The focus of this LoI will be scaling up manufacture and deployment of ultra-low-cost solar and clean hydrogen.

The Co-chairs of the five Joint Working Groups under the India – Australia Energy Dialogue viz. Power; New & Renewable Energy; Coal & Mines; Critical Minerals; and Oil & Gas, presented the progress till date and the forward action plan under the respective JWGs.

There is an urgent need to focus on advancing technology and clean energy transition. In this context, the agreed forward action plan includes areas like energy efficiency technologies; grid management; R&D collaboration on flue gas desulphurization, biomass or hydrogen co-firing, water cycle optimisation, renewables integration, batteries and electric mobility.

Apart from the power sector, there are many desirable areas of cooperation agreed under the other JWGs like reducing costs of Green Hydrogen; cooperation in sphere of coal-based energy security and resource deployment; investment opportunities in the minerals sector; exploring potential for an LNG Partnership, among other areas.

11-Feb-2022: India and Australia sign Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Tourism cooperation

India and Australia have signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Tourism cooperation in the field of Tourism on 11th February 2022 in New Delhi. The MoU on behalf of Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, was signed by Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution and Textiles and on behalf of Government of Australia it was signed by The Hon Dan Tehan MP, Minister of Trade, Tourism and Investment.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the field of tourism will enhance cooperation and encourage Expansion of bilateral relations in tourism.  The MoU will facilitate Exchange of information and data related to tourism, Cooperation between tourism stakeholders, particularly hotels and tour operators, Cooperation and exchanges between training and education providers in tourism and hospitality, Investment in the tourism and hospitality sectors, Visits of tour operators and wholesalers, media and opinion makers, High quality, safe, ethical and sustainable tourism development, Interest in major cultural, artistic and sporting events, Opportunities for traveler education on applicable laws, rules and instructions in each other’s country and Enhanced tourism engagement in multilateral fora.

Australia is one of the most important tourism generating markets for India (ranked 4th in terms of Foreign Tourist Arrivals to the country in 2019 and contributing 3.4% in total tourism share of foreign tourists in the country). The signing of Memorandum of Understanding with Australia will be instrumental in increasing tourists’ arrival from this important source market.

India and Australia had previously signed a Memorandum of Understanding on tourism cooperation in the field of tourism on 18.11.2014.  Under the framework of the said MoU three meeting of Joint Working Group Meeting on tourism between India and Australia were conducted. This above Memorandum of Understanding had expired in the year 2019.

The MoU facilitated promotion of tourist traffic between two countries. The number of Australian visited India has increased consistently in the last few years. In 2016, there were 2,93,625 Australian tourists visited India which increased to 3,67,241 in 2019 and Number of Indians visited Australia also increased consistently from 2,62,250 to 5,89,539 in 2019.  From 27th November 2014, India is offering Electronic Tourist Visa to the citizens of Australia.

Presently, Ministry of Tourism has MoUs with 45 countries. The present MoU between India and Australia in the field of Tourism is expected to give a fillip to tourism promotion post pandemic between two countries.

5-Oct-2021: Union Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan holds discussion with Australian Minister for Education and Youth

Union Minister for Education and Skill Development Shri Dharmendra Pradhan today held a virtual meeting with Mr. Alan Tudge, Australia’s Minister for Education and Youth. Minister Pradhan and his Australian counterpart agreed to strengthen the growing Australia-India partnership in higher education with an emphasis on two-way student mobility, teacher exchanges, applied research, and other areas of mutual priority.

Shri Dharmendra Pradhan raised the issue of return of Indian students studying in Australia. Australian Minister briefed him on the steps being taken by the Australian government to ease the return of Indian students to Australia. The Minister along with his Australian counterpart laid emphasis on both countries’ commitment to supporting Australia-bound students at every stage.

Shri Pradhan reaffirmed that the National Education Policy, 2020 will be instrumental in realizing the aspirations and future needs of our youth and in making India a global knowledge hub. The education and skills spectrum has a significant potential for further co-operation between India and Australia, he further added.

30-Sep-2021: Statement issued at conclusion of the 17th India-Australia Joint Ministerial Commission

Following is the text of the Statement issued  at conclusion of the 17th India-Australia Joint Ministerial Commission here today:

'Mr. Piyush Goyal, India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs and Food, and Public Distribution and Textiles, and Mr. Dan Tehan, MP, Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Government of Australia, have formally launched the resumption of negotiations on the India-Australia Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA).

Both Ministers discussed a range of issues during the 17th India-Australia Joint Ministerial Commission meeting today. Key issues included the expeditious negotiation of a bilateral CECA, resolution of tax-related issues faced by Indian software firms in Australia, ensuring increased two-way trade and the 12th Ministerial Conference of the WTO scheduled to be held at the end of this year.

Both India and Australia reaffirmed commitment to conclude a CECA, including to reach an interim agreement by December 2021 to liberalise and deepen bilateral trade in goods and services, and to conclude the negotiations on a full CECA by the end of 2022. The Joint Ministerial Commission detailed the areas that will be covered by the interim agreement consistent with Article XXIV of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, including goods, services, investment, energy and resources, logistics and transport, standards, rules of origin, and sanitary and phytosanitary measures. Ministers also agreed to explore government procurement. It was agreed that there would be an exchange of offers by the end of October 2021.

Looking to build on the progress made by both countries on earlier bilateral negotiations, both Ministers agreed the need for a balanced trade agreement that encourages expanded trade and investment flows to the benefit of both of our economies, and that reflects a shared commitment to the rules-based international trading system.

Reaffirming their commitment to working together, both ministers agreed to strengthen the rules-based, transparent, non-discriminatory, open, and inclusive multilateral trading system embodied by the World Trade Organization. They also agreed to work towards an ambitious and balanced outcome at the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC12) in Geneva, Switzerland.

Australia and India are important trading partners. India-Australia bilateral trade has exceeded AUD$24 billion last year. Major Indian exports to Australia are petroleum products, medicines, polished diamonds, gold jewellery, apparels etc, while key Australian exports to India include coal, LNG, alumina and non-monetary gold. In services, major Indian exports relate to travel, telecom and computer, government and financial services, while Australian services exports were principally in education and personal related travel. In 2020, India was Australia's seventh-largest trading partner and sixth largest export destination, driven by coal and international education.'

23-Sep-2021: First India-Australia Joint Working Group (JWG) on “Coal and Mines” held Virtually

As a precursor to the upcoming India-Australia Energy Dialogue scheduled to be held on 13th October, 2021, the first Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting on “Coal and Mines” between India and Australia was held here today through Video conferencing.

This was co-chaired by Shri Vinod Kumar Tiwari, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Coal, from the Indian side and by Mr. Paul Trotman, Head of Resources Division from the Australian side. In his opening remarks Shri Tiwari provided overview of the coal sector in India and presented emerging scenario for future. He highlighted the priority areas to be included for possible collaborations in coal and mining sectors in both the countries.

The discussions focused on Indian coal resources in the present and future scenario, critical and strategic minerals-demand and supply scenario & engagements with Australian counterpart, India Australia collaboration on Clean Coal Technology, Surface Coal Gasification, Coal Bed Methane, sharing of Technology deployed for fire quenching, Coal Based Hydrogen, Carbon Capture Utilization & Storage(CCUS). Avenues for Business to Business collaboration on coal technology, transfer of technology, cooperation on skill development and training, issues related to coking coal import from Australia were discussed.

Both the sides discussed about sharing their expertise on these issues for any possible future collaboration and agreed that the discussions would also be carried forward beyond the confines of this forum

From the Indian side presentations were made on Resources, Technology, Sustainability and Business Opportunities. Presentations from the Indian side were made by Smt Vismita Tej, Joint Secretary, Shri Anandi Prasad, Advisor, Ministry of Coal, Shri Ranjit Rath, CMD, KABIL, Shri Peeyush Kumar, Chief Manager, CIL and Shri A.K Rana, Director, CMPDIL. Presentations from the Australian side were made on Global Resources Strategy, Leveraging technologies and infrastructure to decarbonise energy & industry, Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS) and trade and commodity relationship. An open house discussion was also held.

1-Jun-2021:  India-Australia cooperation and collaboration in the field of Agriculture

A virtual meeting between Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Mr. David Little proud MP, Australian Minister for Agriculture, Drought & Emergency Management, was held on 1st June, 2021.  It was acknowledged that the frequent engagement between the two Nations at the highest level has resulted in significant progress in many spheres of the bilateral relations during the last five years.

The two Ministers met to follow up on the collaboration in field of agriculture highlighted in the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership announced by Prime Ministers of India and Australia at their Summit on 4th June 2020. The India - Australia Grains Partnership was a significant inclusion aiming to use Australia’s expertise in post-harvest management to strengthen rural grain storage and supply chains so as to reduce losses and wastage. Shri Tomar expressed satisfaction at the progress being made in this area of cooperation between the two countries and informed that National Institute of Agricultural Marketing will be the nodal organisation from India.

Both the Ministers expressed satisfaction on the progress of giving Market access to the respective Agricultural products and shared technical information with each other. Australia has recently given market access for export of Indian pomegranates. There would be a joint strategy for deeper access for Indian mangoes and pomegranates in Australian markets led by the Indian High Commission in Canberra also. The Australian Minister assured to fast track the Indian requests for market access for okra and pomegranate arils.

On the issue of closer cooperation between India and Australia in multilateral fora like FAO and G20 raised by the Minister of Australia, Shri Tomar said that he looked forward for closer dialogue between likeminded countries. He suggested that climate change was one area where there was great opportunity for India and Australia to work together since both countries had similar commitments. He mentioned the flagship program of National Innovation for Climate Resilient Agriculture and said collaboration could be set up with the research organisations of Australia.

14-Oct-2020: Cabinet approves MoU between India and Australia for collaboration in capacity building, research and development and making impact for sustainable groundwater management

The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi was apprised of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga rejuvenation, India and Managing Aquifer Recharge and Sustaining Groundwater use through village-level intervention (MARVI) PARTNERS, Australia in  October, 2019.

The MoU has been signed to promote cooperation in surface and groundwater training, education and research to achieve water security for agricultural, urban, industrial and environmental purposes.

30-Sep-2020: India and Australia further Strengthens their Partnership on Skilling Agenda

Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship(MSDE) and High Commission of Australia holds meeting for Cooperation in Vocational Education and Training. In an endeavor to support Vocational Education and Training (VET) in India and Australia, the Union Minister for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Dr. Mahendra Nath Pandey and Mr. Barry O’Farrell, Australian High Commissioner, today participated in a virtual meeting to operationalize & implement Cooperation in VET to promote development of occupational standards in priority industry sectors.

This was in line with the joint participation of the Prime Minister of India and the Prime Minister of Australia in the India-Australia Leaders' Virtual Summit held on 4thJune, 2020. Earlier, on this occasion, a Joint Statement for Comprehensive Strategic Partnership document between both the countries was announced including the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation in Vocational Education and Training between the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and the Department of Education, Skills.

During the meeting, Minister emphasized on making firm progress in the forthcoming Joint working group meeting between India & Australia. Talking about post-COVID era, Dr Pandey highlighted the skill priorities of India like, mapping of job roles in the health sector and better migration and mobility. These are high priority areas for India as per the New Education policy in enhancing Vocational education in School education and the collaboration with Australia shall be crucial in this aspect.

Mr. Barry O’Farrell, Australian High Commissioner, said, “The joint working group meeting will further assist us in formulating focussed interventions to deliver on the skills agenda across both the nations. Through this partnership, we will ensure a collaborative and clear plan of action to address the priority areas in skill development.”

Further in the joint meeting, which was also attended by Shri Praveen Kumar, Secretary, MSDE and Smt. Juthika Patankar, Additional Secretary, MSDE, the importance of joint planning and implementation of collaborative programmes was emphasized with a focus on salient points such as industry sectors; enhancing capacity and quality of trainers and assessors; internships and apprenticeship exchanges and; facilitation of linkages between VET providers and industry in both the countries.

The MoU will establish new pathways between the two countries to share information and best practice between the respective VET systems. The agreement will help identify new ways of working together and areas of possible collaboration that include mutual priority areas of industry engagement, quality assurance models, and teaching standards. So far, MSDE has signed MOUs with eight countries including Japan, UAE, Sweden, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Finland and Morocco for cooperation in the field of vocational education and training.

The partnership will help foster closer ties between the governments and training providers, and ultimately, open up new areas of opportunity for millions of VET learners in both countries.

5-Jun-2020: Research proposals invited for COVID-19 for bilateral collaboration in science between India & Australia

Hon’ble Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi and the Hon Scott Morrison MP, Prime Minister of Australia jointly announced a Special COVID-19 Collaboration in 2020 during an India-Australia Leaders’ Virtual Summit on 04 June 2020.

Accordingly, Department of Science & Technology (DST), Ministry of Science & Technology, GOI and  Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources (DISER), Australia have invited joint research projects on COVID-19 from interested scientists and researchers under the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund (AISRF), a platform for bilateral collaboration in science, jointly managed and funded by the governments of India and Australia.

The research proposals are expected to focus on antiviral coatings, other preventive technologies, data analytics, modeling, AI applications, and screening and diagnostic testing as priority areas. The project duration would be for 12 months with maximum extension of 6 months.

The objective of the grant opportunity is to fund short collaborative research projects with tangible outcomes focused on responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. The intended outcomes of the grant opportunity are to bring together leading research institutions and industry in both Australia and India currently working on areas relevant to COVID-19 such as vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics, and projects of a mutually beneficial nature whose outcomes contribute to the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The details are available on onlinedst.gov.in. The last date for submission of online application is 2nd July 2020.

4-Jun-2020: Virtual Summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Scott Morrison of Australia on 4th June 2020

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will be holding India-Australia Virtual Summit with Prime Minister Mr. Scott Morrison on 4th June 2020. Dates for the visit of Prime Minister of Australia, Scott Morrison to India this year had been finalised, but the visit could not take place. It was also agreed to hold a "Virtual Summit”. This is the first time that Prime Minister Modi will be holding a "Bilateral Virtual Summit”, this signifies the strengthening of ties with Australia and its upward trajectory.

The two Prime Ministers earlier had a telephonic conversation on 6th April 2020, where they discussed the ongoing COVID-19, including facilitation and support for citizens stranded in each other’s country. There is an Indian Diaspora, which has contributed significantly to the linkages between the two countries. During the telephonic conversation, PM Scott Morrison spoke of the Indian community, including Indian students being valued as a vibrant part of the Australian society.

India and Australia have very warm and friendly relations, which have been expanding and growing steadily.

The Strategic Partnership between the two countries was strengthened in 2014 - with the visit of Prime Minister Tony Abbott to India in September 2014, and the visit of PM Modi to Australia in November 2014. Framework for Security Cooperation between Australia and India signed in November 2014 during the visit of PM Modi to Australia laid the foundation for intensified foreign, defence and security policy exchanges between the two countries. Since then, regular meetings of the institutional dialogues have been taking place.

High-level interactions have also continued. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, visited India in April 2017; the Governor General of Australia visited India in March 2018 to attend the founding Summit of the International Solar Alliance and Rashtrapatiji made a historic visit to Australia in November 2018. PM Modi and PM Morrison have met four times during the last one and half years – on the sidelines of EAS in Singapore (14 November 2018), on the sidelines of G20 in Osaka (29 June 2019), on the margins of G7 Summit in Biarritz (25 August 2019) and on the margins of EAS in Bangkok (04 November 2019).

Economic engagement has been growing. In 2018-19, the trade between the two countries was around US$ 21 billion. Australia’s cumulative investment in India is about US$ 10.74 billion whereas India’s total investment in Australia is US$ 10.45 billion. AustralianSuper Pension Fund has invested US$ 1 billion in India’s National Investment and Infrastructure Fund. The two countries are looking at stepping up investments and trade with each other.

As two democratic nations, India and Australia have developed an understanding of each other’s perspectives on regional and global issues. We have a shared approach to a free, open, inclusive, and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

Australia has supported India’s global initiatives such as ISA, CDRI and Indo-Pacific Oceans’ Initiative (IPOI). Australia supports India’s membership of an expanded United Nations Security Council (UNSC). In the recent past, Australia supported our membership for Australia Group, and Wassenaar Arrangement and favours India’s membership of NSG.

The Virtual Summit will be an opportunity for the two leaders to review the broad framework of the relationship, in the context of growing ties between India and Australia, and to discuss their respective responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.

25-Feb-2020: 16th Session of the Joint Ministerial Commission between India and Australia

The 16th Session of the Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) between India and Australia was convened in New Delhi on 24th February 2020. The Session was co-chaired by Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister of Railways and Commerce & Industry, Government of India and Hon. Senator Simon Birmingham, Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Government of Australia.

The session was attended by officials from Departments of Commerce, Revenue, Agriculture, Fisheries, Department of Promotion of Industry & Internal Trade (DPIIT) and Ministry of External Affairs on the Indian side. The delegation from Australia included officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Austrade, Export Finance Australia and Australian High Commission.

The two sides acknowledged the considerable growth in the India-Australia economic relationship in strategic, trade and people-to-people links since the last Joint Ministerial Commission in June 2018.

Both sides welcomed efforts to elevate the bilateral economic relationship. They agreed to consider reviving the negotiations on the bilateral Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA). They also agreed to take forward the issue of harmonising standards and regulatory barriers for products of interest to both sides, in parallel.

On two-way investment, both sides noted the visits by three delegations of Australian superannuation funds over the previous year. They agreed to continue to work together to foster awareness of the opportunities in India among Australian investors.

Both sides reflected on the important role the private sector played in building the bilateral economic relationship. India welcomed the Australia-India Business Exchange program, including the delegation of over 100 Australian businesses accompanying Minister Birmingham to India. The business delegation is exploring opportunities in education, food and health and beauty, resources, and infrastructure.

India raised the issue of taxing of off-shore income of Indian firms through the use of India-Australia Double Tax Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) and sought early resolution of the issue. Both sides agreed to intensify discussions.

7-Feb-2018: Cabinet approves signing of India-Australia Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) for Secondment Programme

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval for signing of Memoranda of Understanding for Secondment Programme between the Department of Economic Affairs (Indian Economic Service Cadre) and The Treasury, Government of Australia, for a period of three months.

Under the Programme, one officer from the Australian Treasury shall be seconded to the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance and one officer from the IES (at Deputy Secretary/Director level) to be nominated by the IES Cadre, Department of Economic Affairs, shall be seconded to the Australian Treasury, Government of Australia, for a period of three months, beginning 15.1.2018 or later. The validity of both the MoUs will terminate at the end of the three months' period of assignment and the same will not be extendable. The programme may be repeated in subsequent years with mutual consultation and after agreement on both sides.

Major Impact: Australia is one of the important bilateral partners of India. The proposed Programme will help to deepen the understanding of current economic policy issues in both countries and also explore further opportunities for future collaboration and engagement. The Programme would also provide the seconded officers with valuable and unique development opportunities and also provide exposure on global best practices.

13-Dec-2017: First 2+2 dialogue between India, Australia calls for open Asia-Pacific

India and Australia held their first ‘2+2 dialogue’ in New Delhi and highlighted need to maintain Asia-Pacific region as a “free” and “open” zone. The 2+2 dialogue model between both countries included foreign and defence secretaries.

India and Australia share warm bilateral relations based on shared democratic values and pluralism. There is a growing convergence of strategic perspectives between the two countries.

Key Facts

• It was first meeting of this level since the two sides participated in quadrilateral discussion between India, United States, Australia and Japan in Manila in November 2017 for new strategic partnership targeting the Asia-Pacific region. In the 2+2 dialogue, all aspects of bilateral relations with focus on strategic and defence relations between two countries were reviewed.
• Both countries agreed that free, open, prosperous and inclusive Indo-Pacific region serves the long-term interests of all countries in the region and of the world at large. The dialogue indicated that focus remains on freedom of navigation in South China Sea, where China has been reclaiming land for infrastructure, boosting its maritime influence.

6-Oct-2017: First Meeting of India-Australia Joint Steering Committee held

The First Meeting of India-Australia Joint Steering Committee was held here today. Shri TVSN Prasad, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs and Mr. Stephen Bouwhuis, First Assistant Secretary, International and Auscheck Division, Criminal Justice Group, Attorney-General's Department led the respective delegations.

Today’s meeting is a follow-up to the Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation in Combating International Terrorism and Transnational Organized Crime exchanged between the two sides during the visit of Australian Prime Minister Mr. Malcolm Turnbull to New Delhi in April this year and his talks with the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

During the Joint Steering Committee meeting the two sides discussed scope for cooperation in counter-terrorism and checking extremism and radicalization besides steps to check illegal financial transactions and counterfeiting and cybercrimes. Issues related to human trafficking and people smuggling, combating illegal drug trafficking and sharing information between law enforcement agencies were also discussed.

The two sides agreed to pursue further the agenda for cooperation in specific areas with meetings of operational Joint Working Groups involving concerned agencies.

11-Apr-2017: India, Australia sign six agreements

India and Australia have singed six agreements in various fields such as terrorism, sports, health, environment, aviation sector to boost bilateral cooperation.

These agreements were signed in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his visiting Australian counterpart Malcolm Turnbull after delegation level talks.

Signed MoUs are

1. MoU on Cooperation in Sports.
2. MoU on Cooperation in the field of Health and Medicine.
3. MoU on Cooperation in the field of Environment, Climate and Wildlife.
4. MoU for Promotion and Development of Cooperation in Civil Aviation Security
5. MoU on Cooperation in Combatting International Terrorism and Transnational Organized Crime.
6. Implementation arrangement between ISRO and Geoscience Australia on Cooperation in Earth Observation and Satellite Navigation.

Highlights of delegation level talks

• Both countries sought to provide a boost to trade and security ties including counterterrorism cooperation.
• Trade deal: Both countries could not conclude negotiations for Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) which they have been negotiating.
• Uranium Supply: Australia held that ready to supply uranium to India as soon as possible. Both countries had signed civil nuclear cooperation in 2013 but actual supply has not yet commenced due to absence of any commercial contract.
• NSG membership: Australia will support for India’s membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group and also for Australia Group and the Wassenaar Arrangement, the two export control regimes.
• Maritime security: Both countries agreed share common interests in ensuring maritime security and the safety of sea lines of communication.
• They also recognised importance of freedom of navigation and overflight, unimpeded lawful commerce, resolving maritime disputes by peaceful means, in accordance with international law, including UNCLOS.
• Defence: Both countries agreed to remain strongly committed to the breadth of their defence ties and recalled the Special Forces Bilateral Exercise conducted in October 2016.
• They agreed that the bilateral maritime exercise first held in the Bay of Bengal in 2015 will be repeated off Western Australia in the first half of 2018. They took decision for first bilateral Army-to-Army exercise to take place in 2018.
• They also agreed to look forward to the inaugural secretaries’ defence and foreign affairs dialogue in the ‘2+2’ format as a new mechanism to build on the deep strategic partnership.

5-April-2017: Cabinet approves MoU between India and Australia on cooperation in the field of Health and Medicine

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the MoU between India and Australia on cooperation in the field of Health and Medicine.

The main areas of cooperation include the following:

1. Communicable diseases such as Malaria and TB;
2. Mental Health and Non-Communicable Diseases;
3. Anti-Microbial Resistance and responding to public health emergencies;
4. Regulation of Pharmaceuticals, vaccines and medical devices;
5. Digital Health;
6. Tobacco Control; and
7. Any other area of cooperation decided mutually between the two countries.

The MoU will involve cooperation through joint initiatives in the Health Sector and strengthen bilateral ties between India and Australia.

22-Feb-2017: Cabinet approves MoU between India and Australia for promotion and development of cooperation in civil aviation security

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval for signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Australia for promotion and development of cooperation in civil aviation security.

The MoU will provide an opportunity to Indian aviation security authorities to share the expertise of their Australian counterparts and enhance the overall aviation security environment in India.

The MoU will provide compliance of international obligation as well as enhance promotion in the area of security cooperation between the two countries.