Australia and India – Converging Relationship: Simon Crean

New Delhi, India, May 3, 2010 / IndiaPRLine / — Mr Simon Crean, Trade Minister of Australia who is on an official visit to India to attend Joint Ministerial Meeting, while addressing a CII organized seminar on “Strengthening India-Australia Trade Relations” in here today, said that there exists huge convergence of interests in India-Australia relationship that includes multilateral level relations, Doha Round of talks, common approach towards G-20, climate change, regional relationship in Asia and at APEC. He said that the purpose of his visit to India and interactions with the India business community was also to put more substance to the strategic relationship with India.

Mr Crean said that the objective of ‘bilateral research fund’, which is the largest research fund of Australia, was to explore areas of cooperation in security, investment and research and development.  He identified four areas that offer huge challenges and these included energy security, water management, urban management and food security.

Australia is world leader in ore extraction and good mining practices and India can benefit by Australian technology and experiences in resources management and exploration including clean technology, he said.

Mr Crean identified agriculture, education, services, mining, water management, urban development and infrastructure as areas for cooperation between India and Australia.

Though the bilateral trade has reached $13 billion in 2008-09 with an annual growth of 25%, trade barriers still hamper the growth, he said. He called for addressing these barriers sensibly. He also said that free trade agreement, which is being negotiated between the two countries, is going to be a fundamental force to strengthen bilateral economic cooperation.

Mr Salil Singhal, Past Chairman CII Northern Region and Chairman of Secure Meters Limited recalled the efforts of CII for last several years to promote trade and economic cooperation between the two countries through interactions with the business community and leadership of Australia and sending trade missions.

Mr Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General of CII  while welcoming the Australian Trade Minister said that CII’s sectoral engagement with Australia included cooperation in mining, skill development, clean and sustainable technology and agriculture. He hoped that the up coming ‘CII Commonwealth Games Business Forum 2010′ would play a significant role in furthering the cause of economic relations between the two countries.