Australia India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA)
On 2 April 2022, Australia’s former minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Dan Tehan MP, signed the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA) with his Indian counterpart Minister Piyush Goyal in a virtual ceremony attended by Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and his former counterpart Scott Morrison.
“This agreement will turbocharge our close, long-standing and highly complementary economic relationship in areas such as critical minerals, professional services, education and tourism. It will create new opportunities for jobs and businesses in both countries, while laying the foundations for a full free trade agreement,” said Minister Tehan in his release.
AI-ECTA is an interim agreement and both countries continue to work towards a full Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement.
Media Release: Historic trade deal with India | Minister for Trade Tourism and Investment (trademinister.gov.au)
For more information, refer to the outcomes documents and official text of the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement.
Australia’s Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Dan Tehan MP, signs the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement
Second Australia-India Virtual Summit
On March 21, Australia's former Prime Minister - the Hon Scott Morrison MP and India's Prime Minister the Hon Shri Narendra Modi - held their second Virtual Summit and took stock of the remarkable pace at which we are implementing the Australia-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), agreed in 2020. Since November 2021, the Australian Government has announced AUD 280 million (INR 1500 crore) worth of new initiatives across the breadth of our relationship.
The leaders re-committed to concluding an Interim Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (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.
Prime Minister Modi welcomed Australia’s special gesture in returning 29 ancient artefacts to India which included sculptures, paintings and photographs, across centuries, from different parts of India. The meeting reinforced the warm, close bonds between India and Australia and the Leaders reiterated their commitment to further accelerate bilateral cooperation under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Australia India Joint Statement - Australia-India Virtual Summit | Prime Minister of Australia (pm.gov.au)
Opening Remarks by the Prime Ministers - Remarks, Virtual Annual Leaders’ Meeting with Prime Minister Modi | Prime Minister of Australia (pm.gov.au)
Australia and India to establish taskforce on qualifications recognition - https://ministers.dese.gov.au/robert/australia-and-india-establish-taskforce-qualifications-recognition
Unlocking opportunities in India for Australian METS firms - https://www.minister.industry.gov.au/ministers/pitt/media-releases/unlocking-opportunities-india-australian-mets-firms
Virtual Summit Media Release Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and former Prime Minister of Australia H.E. Mr. Scott Morrison hold 2nd India Australia Virtual Summit (mea.gov.in)
Oped by the High Commissioner https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/realising-the-potential-of-maitri-and-mateship/article65246697.ece
Prime Ministers interacting during the second Australia India Annual Leaders' Meeting
India Economic Strategy to 2035
On 22 March, Australia’s former minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, The Hon Dan Tehan MP launched an Update to the landmark 2018 India Economic Strategy. The update presents a five year action plan to deepen Australia’s economic integration with India and details many of the Government’s new initiatives.
As part of the update, Australia will provide additional investment in the relationship including:
- $16.6 million to strengthen linkages with India’s key policy & finance institutions;
- $8.9 million to support enhanced business engagement and an increased Austrade’s presence in India.
More information on the Update to India Economic Strategy to 2035: https://dfat.gov.au/IESUpdate
Minister Dan Tehan’s Media Release: https://www.trademinister.gov.au/minister/dan-tehan/media-release/investing-australia-india-relationship
Australia announces new Consulate General in Bengaluru and a Centre of Excellence to boost tech ties with India
Australia is strengthening its technology partnership with India through the establishment of a new Consulate-General in Bengaluru and a Centre of Excellence for Critical and Emerging Technology Policy, also to be based in India. As announced by Australia's former Prime Minister Scott Morrison at the Bengaluru Tech Summit, the new consulate would focus on deepening Australia’s ties with Indian innovators, technologists and entrepreneurs as well as support Australian businesses in India’s cybertech hub. The Centre of Excellence for Critical & Emerging Technology Policy will bring together Australian and Indian technologists, policy practitioners, academics, researchers & thought leaders and will help guide the responsible development and use of critical technologies.
Click here for former Prime Minister’s remarks at the Bengaluru Tech Summit
Media Release: Strengthening our technology partnership with India
Prime Minister Scott Morrison delivered the key note address at the Bengaluru Tech Summit
Australia and India trade deal
Australia's former Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, the Hon Dan Tehan MP, concluded a successful visit to India. Minister Tehan met his Indian counterpart Minister Piyush Goyal and agreed to resume negotiations for the Australia-India Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA). Both the Ministers committed to conclude the negotiations on a full CECA by the end of 2022, including to reach an interim agreement by December 2021, to liberalise & deepen bilateral trade. Minister Tehan also met the Indian Education Minister, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, and discussed ways to strengthen the strategic partnership, especially in the education and skill development sectors.
Joint Media Release: https://www.trademinister.gov.au/minister/dan-tehan/media-release/australia-and-india-trade-deal
Australia's Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, the Hon Dan Tehan MP with India's Trade Minister Piyush Goyal
First Australia-India Leaders’ Virtual Summit
The first Australia-India Leaders’ Virtual Summit on 4 June, 2020 concluded on a historic high with the two Prime Ministers elevating the Australia-India relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership level. Nine agreements were signed/announced during the summit. Links below for more information:
· List of the documents announced/signed during India - Australia Virtual Summit
· Joint statement on the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and Australia
· Opening remarks by former Australian Prime Minister at the Virtual Summit
· High Commissioner Barry O'Farrell's OpEd published in Hindustan Times
Australia's former Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Hon Senator Simon Birmingham concludes his visit to India
Australia's former Foreign Minister announces new Australian High Commissioner to India
Senator the Hon Marise Payne announced the appointment of The Hon Barry O’Farrell AO as Australia’s next High Commissioner to India. Mr O’Farrell will also have non-resident accreditation to Bhutan. Minister Payne also thanked the outgoing High Commissioner Ms Harinder Sidhu for her significant contribution to advancing Australia’s interests in India since 2016. Link to the Media Release
Australia's former Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister for Women Senator the Hon Marise Payne's concludes her visit to India
Senator the Hon Marise Payne met with key leaders in the Indian Government and took part in the Raisina Dialogue, a major regional strategic affairs conference in New Delhi. Link to the Media Release
Australian Minister for Education The Hon Dan Tehan MP to visit India from 19 to 21 November
Australian Education Minister The Hon Dan Tehan MP will be on a three-day visit to India from 19 to 21 November to tap new business opportunities in the country's education sector and showcase Australia's education and research sector. Minister Tehan will meet with the Indian Minister for Human Resource Development Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’, engage Indian education and research stakeholders, and attend local events in support of the Australian education and research sector. Link to the Media Release
Australia's former Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister for Women Senator the Hon Marise Payne's address at the United States Studies Centre
Australia's former Prime Minister Scott Morrison's address at the 2019 Lowy Lecture
Prime Minister Scott Morrison outlined his vision for Australia’s place in the world at the 2019 Lowy Lecture. He also announced that he would be visiting India in January at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Another step in cementing India as a top tier partner for Australia. Link to the Speech : https://www.pm.gov.au/media/speech-lowy-lecture-our-interest
Australia-India Council Grants announced
Senator the Hon Marise Payne, Australia's former Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women has announced 11 recipients of this year’s Australia India Council (AIC) award grants. These projects will help in deepening our engagement & relationship with India and also promote a better understanding between our two countries.
Link to the Media Release: https://foreignminister.gov.au/releases/Pages/2019/mp_mr_190918.aspx
Minister for Resources and Northern Australia concludes his India trip bolstering ties in the resources sector
Australia’s former Minister for Resources and Northern Australia, Senator the Hon Matthew Canavan was in India from 26-29 August 2019. The Minister travelled to three-Indian cities – Kolkata, Delhi and Mumbai – where he met with ministerial counterparts and resource industry leaders.
Link to Minister's release: https://www.minister.industry.gov.au/ministers/canavan/media-releases/india-singapore-visit-helps-bolster-ties-key-economies
Australian former Minister of Defence speech at the Indo-Pacific Conference, Western Australia
Australian former Minister of Defence Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC delivered a keynote speech at the WA Indo-Pacific Defence Conference highlighting Australia’s vision for the Indo Pacific to remain free, open & inclusive. Addressing the conference she said, "To do this we must strengthen our partnerships, increase our presence, build collaboration & invest in defence capability." Read More...
Address to Asialink and Bloomberg “Where we live” By Prime Minister The Hon Scott Morrison MP
Australian Government's response to the India Economic Strategy
- Link to Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s address to the Australian Financial Review India Business Summit
- Link to the Australian Government’s response to An India Economic Strategy to 2035
- Link to Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Simon Birmingham’s address to the Australian Financial Review India Business Summit 2018
India Economic Strategy Released
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull released Australia’s India Economic Strategy in Brisbane. The strategy, led by former DFAT Secretary Peter Varghese, is an ambitious plan to grow the economic partnership between India and Australia out to 2035.
Media release: India Economic Strategy | Full report is available at indiaeconomicstrategy.dfat.gov.au
Capturing India’s economic transformation (video link or watch below)