Powering the Partnership: India and Australia Spotlight Trade, Tech & Critical Minerals

Mumbai: With trade ties between India and Australia entering a transformative phase, a high-level webinar brought together government officials and industry leaders to explore new and emerging opportunities across key sectors, including infrastructure, technology, education, renewable energy, and critical minerals.

The session was jointly hosted by MVIRDC WTC Mumbai, the Australia India Business Council (AIBC), and the All India Association of Industries (AIAI), focusing on actionable trade prospects, sectoral synergies, and the evolving policy landscape, including the India–Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement.

Mr Michael Carter, Head of International Trade Services, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia, drew attention to Australia’s India Economic Strategy 2035, identifying long-term opportunities in education, agribusiness, clean energy, healthcare, financial services, and innovation. With over 100,000 Indian students studying in Australia, he underlined people-to-people ties as a major economic driver. He further noted India’s potential to become a global food supplier and a hub for AI, fintech, and quantum computing innovation—areas ripe for bilateral collaboration.

Mr Abhinav Bhatia, Queensland Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner, highlighted Queensland’s strong trade relationship with India, which in 2024 was its fourth-largest export market, contributing nearly 60% of Australia’s exports to India, valued at $14.4 billion. He emphasised opportunities in digital infrastructure, affordable housing, and critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and vanadium. He also pointed to emerging synergies in sports infrastructure and digital innovation in the lead-up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympics, with India exploring interest in hosting the 2036 Olympics.

Dr Vijay Kalantri, Chairman, MVIRDC WTC Mumbai and President, AIAI, linked the discussion to India’s long-term economic ambitions—growing into a $5 trillion economy by 2027–28 and a $32 trillion economy by 2047. Citing initiatives such as Make in India and Gati Shakti, he projected that with the right investments in infrastructure, mining, IT, and re-export hubs, India–Australia trade could reach $100 billion in the near future. He added, “When one door closes, three others open. India is actively creating new pathways, and Australia is a key partner in this journey.”

Mr Deepak-Raj Gupta OAM, National Chair, AIBC, noted that bilateral trade and services are already valued at over $53 billion. He spotlighted the Accessing New Markets Initiative (ANMI), a $50 million AUD program supporting Australian exporters’ expansion into India and South Asia, reinforcing the shared vision for regional growth.

Ms Priya Pansare, Director, Trade & Investment Promotion, WTC Mumbai, underscored the role of manufacturing, technology, and infrastructure as pillars of India’s growth momentum. She also highlighted the upcoming Global Economic Summit at WTC Mumbai, which will convene international business leaders and policymakers to drive global partnerships.

Moderated by Poornima Menon, AIBC NSW Vice President, the webinar addressed critical issues such as regulatory frameworks, compliance, logistics, and cultural barriers. Panellists stressed the importance of regulatory clarity, streamlined processes, and greater educational outreach between businesses on both sides of the Indian Ocean.

The session, marked by active interaction, reaffirmed that the India–Australia trade corridor is entering a high-growth decade, with sector-specific partnerships and strategic roadmaps now in motion. For businesses, investors, and innovators, the opportunities ahead are both wide-ranging and transformative.