Australian PM Tony Abbot’s visit in India

Australia and India priority for boosting investment and trade for mutual benefit in areas of infrastructure, resources, agriculture, manufacturing, health, education,technologies,innovation and skills.Furthermore  four MoUs were signed on Nuclear Energy, Sports, Water resources management and Vocational educational and training.

Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of Australia Mr. Tony Abbott held talks on various bilateral, regional and multilateral issues. Four covenant were concluded and significant initiatives launched during the visit. 

The two Prime Minister’s Signed four MoUs and committed on intensification of cooperation in the following cooperation programmes and projects :-

·         Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy - The Prime Ministers welcomed the rapid growth in bilateral relations in recent years, anchored in shared values, expanding economic engagement, converging strategic interests and a growing shared agenda in regional and multilateral institutions. 

·         MOU on cooperation in Sport –  In addition to promoting cooperation in arts and culture, an MOU was signed to promote sports by way of exhibitions, professional training and exchanges.

·         Renewed MOU on Water Resources Management – Deliberations were done on the challenge of managing scarce water resources and river basin management which was concluded with extension of the MoU on water cooperation. In addition support was offered by Asutralia for India ’s Ganga rejuvenation efforts. 

·         MoU on Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) – MOU was signed by both sides for increasing collaboration to develop a quality skills training framework in India .

·         CECA - In addition to these MoUs, renewal of Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) was done for an early conclusion of an equitable, balanced, comprehensive and high quality agreement.

·         India- Australia Business Summit 2015 - Regular exchange between Indian and Australian business communities was welcomed and convening of an India-Australia Business Summit in Delhi in 2015 was also suggested.

·         Martime Security - Discussions were welcomed for promoting maritime security for ongoing disarmament and non-proliferation.

·         Energy resources - Both sides agreed on a long-term strategic partnership on energy and resources from Australia and Australia extended its cooperation for coal, LNG, renewables and uranium, iron ore, copper and gold. 

·         Higher-education - Collaborations on Ph.D. programmes were promoted by way of increased cooperation between Universities for joint degrees and further intensifying exchange programmes. In addition progress was welcomed for ICCR Chairs of Indian Studies in 5 universities in Australia to support establishment of Nalanda University Chair in Environmental Studies.

·         International Summits - Due commitment and support was extended by both countries on G20 Summit, East Asia Summit (EAS), ASEAN Regional Forum, Asia Europe Meeting, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum (APEC), and Indian Ocean Regional Association (IORA).