Australia’s economic ties with India will be the top priority for foreign minister Marise Payne on her visit to India this week.
Minister Payne will also discuss regional security along with trade with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi during her two-day visit to New Delhi.
“I will visit India on 8 and 9 January to participate in the Raisina Dialogue and meet with senior government ministers, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“This will be my first visit to India as Minister for Foreign Affairs and follows the successful visit to Australia of the President of India His Excellency Ram Nath Kovind in November 2018,” she said in a statement before leaving for India.
The Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi is an important forum that reinforces the growing strategic importance of India in the region and the world.
Ms Payne’s address to the Dialogue will detail how Australia and India can work together and with regional partners to deliver a stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
“While in New Delhi I will also meet my counterpart, Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj, and other senior Indian and regional Ministers and officials.
“My visit will be an opportunity to reinforce Australia's commitment to strengthening our partnership across a range of spheres.
Over the past year, two-way trade between Australia and India has increased by more than 13 per cent to $29.1 billion.
Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi meet for a bilateral meeting during the 2018 ASEAN Summit in Singapore 14/11. Source: AAP
“India is projected to be the fastest growing large economy over the next two decades and a key driver of global economic growth.
“I will also discuss the practical steps Australia is taking to implement the recommendations of the India Economic Strategy, which was commissioned by the Coalition Government, to cement India as a top economic partner,” Ms Payne said.
