President Ram Nath Kovind and Australian Prime minister Scott Morrison
After Vietnam, President R N Kovind visited Australia. At Sydney he was accorded a ceremonial Guard of Honour and welcomed by Governor General Peter Cosgrove.
President Kovind, is the first-ever Indian head of state to grace Australia with his visit on the second leg of his two nation trip.
External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said that during the state visit of President Kovind to Australia, five agreements were exchanged between the High Commissioners of the two Countries in the presence of Marise Payne, Foreign Minister of Australia and Anantkumar Hegde, Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. Australia thus signed five agreements with India to boost investments and enhance cooperation in key sectors like disability, agricultural research and education.
The first agreement was for cooperation in the area of disability and to deliver services to the differently-abled. The second one was between Invest India and Austrade to facilitate bilateral investment.
The third agreement was signed between the Central Mine Planning and Design Institute, Ranchi, and the Commonwealth Scientific and Research Organisation, Canberra, to foster scientific collaboration and innovation.
The fourth one was between the Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University, Guntur, and the University of Western Australia, Perth, for cooperation in agricultural research and education while the last one was between the Indraprashta Institute of Information Technology, New Delhi, and the Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane for a joint Ph.D agreement.
The Prime Minister of Australia who was present during the signing of the agreements and having met President Kovind, announced the release of Australia’s response to the India Economic Strategy, a blueprint to transform the economic engagement.
“This report provides a road map for our economic future with India,” he said.
India is the world’s fastest growing major economy and offers more opportunity for Australian business over the next 20 years than any other single market, he said.
The Australian government said it endorsed the report and provides in-principle support to its 20 priority recommendations.
“Our work will focus on greater economic engagement targeting 10 Indian states and 10 key sectors, while providing practical support for Australian businesses entering or expanding operations in India,” Trade Minister Simon Birmingham said.
Australia also pinpointed the initial implementation plan with key actions for next one year which will include agreements forged between Austrade and Invest India, the establishment of an Australia-India Food Partnership, opening up new opportunities for agri-tech and service companies and Australia-India Strategic Research Fund grants of up to Australian dollar 500,000.
The fund is designed to help researchers solve challenges shared by both nations, including energy storage, marine science and plant genomics.
Other actions include the expansion of the Australia-India Mining Partnership at the Indian School of Mines, connecting Australian companies to India’s mineral-rich northeastern states, supported by the new Consulate-General in Kolkata, engagement with airlines to increase direct flights through the Australia-India air services agreement.
Ministers across education, agribusiness, resources and tourism will oversee progress of the government’s response and ongoing implementation of the India Economic Strategy.
PM Morrison along with the ministers for trade and resources will join President Kovind at the launch of the Australian chapter of the Confederation of Indian Industry – India Business Forum, which will serve as a platform for networking and policy advocacy for Indian businesses in Australia.
“I look forward to continue discussing the opportunities presented in the India Economic Strategy with President Kovind, and how we can continue to work together to develop enhanced economic ties,” he said.
“Today’s steps are only the first on a long journey that will see Australia and India grow together,” he added.
