Anthony Albanese, the prime minister of Australia, will travel to India from March 8 to March 11 for a four-day state visit. It follows the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), which went into effect in December, and is the first visit by an Australian prime minister in six years.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has arrived in India for a four-day visit with a focus on strengthening trade and investment ties between the two countries. Albanese, who is accompanied by a delegation of business leaders and sports personalities, is also expected to discuss cricket diplomacy during his visit. This visit comes at a time when both countries are looking to deepen their strategic partnership in the Indo-Pacific region.
Trade and Investment Talks
In addition to a high-level corporate delegation, the Australian prime minister will travel along with Senator Don Farell, Minister of Trade and Tourism, and Madeleine King, Minister of Resources and Northern Australia, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MEA). During his visit, Albanese is scheduled to meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as well as other senior government officials and business leaders. The two leaders are expected to discuss ways to enhance bilateral trade and investment ties, particularly in the areas of energy, education, and infrastructure. India is Australia’s fifth-largest trading partner, with two-way trade exceeding $24 billion in 2020.
Cricket Diplomacy
In addition to trade and investment, cricket is also expected to be on the agenda during Albanese’s visit. The prime minister, who is a self-confessed cricket fan, is expected to attend the India-Australia T20 cricket match on Wednesday in Ahmedabad. The match is seen as an opportunity for both countries to use sports diplomacy to deepen their cultural ties and build people-to-people links.
Business Leaders Delegation
Accompanying Albanese on his visit is a delegation of business leaders from various sectors, including resources, education, and technology. The delegation is aimed at showcasing Australia’s capabilities and seeking opportunities to strengthen business ties with India. The visit also marks the resumption of in-person business exchanges between the two countries, which were disrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Conclusion
Overall, Anthony Albanese’s visit to India is expected to further strengthen the already close ties between the two countries. Both India and Australia have been working to deepen their strategic partnership in the Indo-Pacific region, with a focus on trade, investment, and people-to-people links. The visit is also an opportunity for Australian business leaders to showcase their capabilities and seek opportunities to strengthen ties with India. With cricket diplomacy also on the agenda, the visit is likely to strengthen the cultural ties between the two countries as well.