NEW DELHI, Jan 16: Australian Trade and Investment Minister Andrew Robb today said that his India visit is an important step towards exploiting “vast untapped potential” in the relationship between both the nations.
Robb, who was here to attend the Australia Business Week in India (ABWI), a week-long event to boost trade and investment ties between the two countries, had a number of high-level meetings including with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.
“There is something special going on in India. The enormous vision of Prime Minister Modi has excited many people. Australia is looking forward to being a part of this very important period in India’s re-emergence as a significant power,” Robb said.
Robb, who led a trade mission to India comprising over 450 Australian business leaders, including Rio Tinto chief Sam Walsh and Woodside CEO Peter Coleman.
“This high-level delegation has shown the Indian business community that Australians are willing, as we would say, to put skin in the game. The visit has been an important step towards unlocking the vast untapped potential in the relationship between our countries,” he added.
Both countries this week signed a number of deals including between Woodside and the Adani Group on LNG supply, Wollongong University and Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University on mining excellence, the National Australia Bank and the SBI and the SAE Institute and Reliance Media in the film sector, he said.
Robb during his visit met a number of Indian corporate leaders, including Gautam Adani, Mukesh Ambani and Natarajan Chandrasekaran.
“Our top business leaders will be critical to the success of this relationship. I’m confident they’re up to the task of building trade and investment, which will create jobs and increase prosperity for the people of our countries,” Robb said.
Robb hailed the Indian Prime Minister for his efforts towards finalising a comprehensive bilateral trade agreement by the end of this year.
“I will keep coming back to India to ensure we get our negotiations over the line this year. This is a key priority for both our Prime Ministers,” he added.
Robb also attended last week the Vibrant Gujarat Summit and then the CII Australia-India Business Summit and Global Partnership Summit. (PTI)
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