'India and Australia have huge potential for growth in trade'

Australian high commissioner to India Patrick Suckling said bonds between the two countries were ‘strong’ but there was tremendous potential for growth in trade in both countries.

Australian high commissioner to India Patrick Suckling said bonds between the two countries were ‘strong’ but there was tremendous potential for growth in trade in both countries.

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At present, Indian companies had investments of around 11 billion US dollars in Australia, while Australia had around 4 billion US dollars in investments. The high commissioner, who was addressing session for showcasing Australia at the GIS, said the areas where Australia could invest in Madhya Pradesh and India were:

Energy: With MP developing quickly they would need more and more power plants.

Mining: Rio Tinto, the 2 billion dollar mining giant, was already operating in Chhattarpur, Madhya Pradesh, and was keen to explore more areas.

Education: Around 50,000 Indian students were studying in Australia.

Agriculture: Tremendous scope especially in the field of dry land farming. Also Indian and Australian scientists were already collaborating for decades in the successive stages of the green revolution in India.

Infrastructure: Australian government had world class technology in the field of infrastructure.

Common interests: Anti-terrorism and defence deals.