The Australian High Commission in New Delhi, on Monday, granted a record 150,000th Visitor visa, registered during the 2015-16 program year.
Australia's High Commissioner to India, Harinder Sidhu, said, "It is a landmark achievement. This is the first time ever that we have reached the 150,000-mark in visitor visa approvals in India for a year."
"One hundred fifty thousand visitor visas is a sign of the growth of the relations between our two countries. I welcome it as a positive milestone. The achievement underlines the fast expanding links between Australia and India."
"More and more Indians are travelling to Australia for business, tourism and to study in our universities, as well as visit family," Ms Sidhu said.
At a function celebrating the 150,000th visa, the High Commissioner congratulated the visa recipients - Mrinal Dutt and his wife Kanika.
Ms Sidhu presented a prize to them which includes the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge climb and a boomerang to remind them of their Australian adventures.
India's ranking improved from eleventh to eighth largest inbound tourists destination for Australia.
Source: Flickr
By 2020, Indian tourist arrivals are expected to be around 300,000 and by 2025, Tourism Australia expects India to feature in the top five inbound markets for Australia.
