INDIA – AUSTRALIA RELATIONS

India and Australia have had ties dating back to the 18th century. The first interactions can be traced back to the late 18th Century and early 19th Century with shipments of coal from Sydney to Calcutta. This was followed by export of horses from New South Wales. Later, more diversified trade ties developed between the two countries.

Full diplomatic relations between the two countries are more recent but still date back to more than 50 years. The Consulate-General of India first opened in Sydney as the Trade Office in 1941. The first Indian High Commissioner arrived in Canberra in 1946. India and Australia share much in common. Both countries are members of the Commonwealth, have similar institutions of parliamentary democracy, legal, financial and government institutions, free and vibrant press, speak the same language and are Indian Ocean littoral States. We are active members of the Indian Ocean Rim - Association for Regional Cooperation, the ASEAN Regional Forum and Summit-level dialogue partners of ASEAN.

The bilateral relationship has continued to develop over the years. Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi visited Australia in 1986.

A return visit was paid by Prime Minister Hawke in 1989. Relations developed steadily, through the 1990's, until the nuclear tests by India in 1998. However, after a brief dip, bilateral exchanges resumed, and became more active from 2000 onwards, following Prime Minister John Howard's visit in July that year. The visit of the Australian Prime Minister opened a new phase in bilateral relations. This visit was followed by a series of Minister-level visits and substantive discussions between the two Governments.

Prime Minister John Howard visited India from 6-9 March, 2006. This was his second visit as Prime Minister of Australia. A Trade and Economic Framework Agreement, an Air Services Agreement, MoUs on Coopertaion in the areas of Defence, Customs and Bio-technology, and a Letter of Intent on the establishment of a strategic research fund were signed during the visit. A business delegation also accompanied PM Howard on the visit.

Recent visits from India to Australia have included Minister for Steel, Chemicals and Fertilizers, Mr. Ram Vilas Paswan (June’07), Minister for Textiles, Mr. Shankarsinh Vaghela (July’07), Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Dr. A. Ramdoss, (July’07), Minister of State for Agriculture, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Dr. Akhilesh Prasad Singh,(July’07), and Minister of State for Finance Mr. Pawan Kumar Bansal (September’07). In 2008, there have been visits by Special Envoy of PM Mr. Shyam Saran (January’08) for discussions with the Foreign Minister of Australia, by Minister for S&T& Earth Sciences, Mr. Kapil Sibal (February’08), Minister for Development of North Eastern Region, Sports and Youth Affairs, Mr. Mani Shankar Aiyer (Mar/April’08), Mr. Kamal Nath (May’08), Mr. Praful Patel, MOS for Civil Aviation (May’08), Mr. P.R. Dashmunshi, Minister for Information and Broadcasting (May’08) for FIFA meeting, Mr. Jitin Prasada, MOS for Steel (May/June’08) and Minister for External Affairs Mr. Pranab Mukherjee (July’08).

From Australia, Defence Minister, Mr. Brendan Nelson, visited India in July’07. Trade Minister Mr. Simon Crean visited India in January’08.

India-Australia cooperation has made rapid strides in many areas. The agreements etc. signed during Prime Minister Howard’s visit added to the already existing agreements and institutionalized mechanisms to promote bilateral cooperation such as Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement, Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement, MOU for Cooperation in IT, MOU on Tourism, MOU on Cultural Heritage Cooperation, MOU on Counter-terrorism, and MOU on Science & Technology. An Extradition Treaty and Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty in Criminal Matters were signed during the visit of Minister for External Affairs Mr. Pranab Mukherjee.

Bilateral Trade over the last five years

Australian Dollars (A$)

Mutual investments have also been growing.

There are already over 20 Indian IT companies which have offices in Australia. They operate 13 software development centres in Australia. India and Australia are currently engaged in a Joint Feasibility Study for Free Trade Agreement.

State Bank of India, Sydney Branch,
Level 12, Suite No.2-3,
234, George Street, Sydney, NSW 2000,
Tel: 02-9241 5643,
Fax: 02-9247 0536,
E-mail mohan@sbisyd.com.au

Government of India Tourist Office
Level 2, Piccadilly,
210, Pitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000,
Tel: 02-9264 4855,
Fax: 02-9264 4860,
E-mail: info@indiatourism.com.au

The New India Assurance Co. Ltd.
 Level 17, 1 York Street, Sydney, NSW 2000,
Tel: 02-9241 3388,
Fax: 02-9247 8925,
Email: newindia@bigpond.net.au

Air India
Level 15, 31, Market Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Tel:02-9283 3370,
Fax: 02-9283 3371,
Email: g.kapoor@airindia.com.au

Engineers India Limited
172, St. Georges Terrace, Level 1, Perth, WA 6000,
Tel: 08-9226 0253,
Fax: 08-9226 0937,
E-mail: mk_eil@bigpond.net.au

Mr. Shabbir Wahid,
President, Federation of Indian Association of Victoria,
GPO Box 2554W, Melbourne VIC 3001
Tel: 03-9866 6955(O),
Fax: 03-9521 2300
Email: president@fiav.asn.au

Mr. Shaik Hakeem,
President, Indian Cultural Soceity Northern Territory, (Inc),
G P O Box 957, Darwin, NT – 0801
Tel: Mob. 0438 203814
Email: shaik.hakem@gmail.com

Mrs. Madhu Kalia,
President, India-Australia Association of Canberra,
 P O Box 593, Civic Square, ACT – 2608
Tel:Tel: 02-6254 2965 (R)

Ms. Promila Gupta
President, Indian Australian Association of South Austsralia Inc.
PO Box 82, Tynte Street,
North Adelaide, SA 5006
Tel: 08-8165 1215,
E-mail: promilagupta31@hotmail.com

Mr. Ikram Naqvi, JP, OAM
Chairman of Trustees,
Indian Cultural Society of Tasmania,
GPO Box 14A, Hobart TAS – 7001
Tel: 03-6228 4342
E-mail: ikenaqvi@hotmail.com

Dr. Jugal Agarwalla,
President, Indian Society of Western Australia,
8, Torino Way Stirling WA - 6021
Tel:08-6468 0043 (Resi) 08 – 9202 5362 (Work)
Mob: 0434822181
Fax: 08-9328 5738
Email: jugal_agarwalla@hotmail.com

Mr. Raj Natarajan
President, United Indian Association Inc.,
P O Box 575, Strathfield, New South Wales – 2135,
Tel: 02-9874 8121 (W),
Fax: 02-9781 6280(W),
Email: nataraja@tpg.com.au
Email: Austrasia@iprimus.com.au

Mrs. Neena Badhwar,
Editor – The Indian Down Under,
P O Box 99, Thornleigh, NSW – 2120,
Tel: 02-9875 2713
Fax: 02-9980 6349
Email: indiandownunder@gmail.com

Mr. Raj.P. Dudeja,
Editor – India Voice, 20 Bent Street, Bentleigh, VIC – 3204,
Tel: 03-9576 5767
Fax: 03-9557 7157
Email: editor@indianvoice.net

Mr. Pawan Luthra,
Editor – Indian Link, G P O Box 108, Sydney NSW – 2001
Tel: 02-9279 2001
Fax: 02-9279 2005
Email: info@indianlink.com.au

Pt. Paras Ram Maharaj,
Chief Editor – Hindi Samachar Patrika,
66 Bringelly Road, Kingswood, NSW – 2747
Tel: 02-4736 1904
Fax: 02-4736 8074
Email: maharaj@pnc.com.au

Mr. Dinesh Malhotra,
Editor-in-Chief , Bharat Times (The Indian Monthly),
PO Box 6100, West Foootscray, VIC – 3012,
Tel: 03-9689 6406
Fax: 03-9689 6489
Email: dm@bharattimes.com

Mr. Ashok Kumar,
Editor, The Indian Sub-Continent Times,
6/13-17 Hill Street, Wentworthville NSW 2145
Tel: 02-9896 2993
Fax: 02-98962993,
Mobile: 0414 815339
Email: theistimes@hotmail.com

Mr. Neeraj Nanda
Editor, South Asia Times,
PO Box 465, Brentford Square, VIC 3131,
Tel: 03-9893 4947,
Fax: 03-9893 4947,
Email: editor@southasiatimes.com.au or nnanda@optusnet.com.au

Mr. Trudi Tarres,
Editor, Brisbane Indian Times,
PO Box 98, Clontare Beach, QLD 4019
Tel: 07-3284 7315,
Fax: 07-3284 3988,
Email: prod@indiantimes.com.au

Mr. Taswinder Singh,
Chief Editor, Indo-Times,
PO Box 51, Thomas Town VIC 3074,
Tel/Fax: 03 9466 4884,
Email: indotimes@yahoo.com

Mr. Govind Raj
Correspondent, Dinamalar,
20 Adkinson Close, ISAACS ACT - 2607
Tel:02- 6286 9466,
Mob: 0404077827,
Email: indotimes@yahoo.com

Mrs. Kumud Merani,
Executive Producer, Hindi Radio Programme, SBS Radio,
Locked Bag No.028, Crows Nest, NSW 2065,
Tel: 02 9874 0553,
Fax: 02 9802 8580,
Email: kumud.merani@sbs.com.au
 
Mr. Hari Narayan
Producer, Lokvani Hindi Programme,
26 Percy Crecent, CHAPMAN, ACT – 2611
Tel: 02-6288 1274,
Fax: 02-6287 274,
Email: aoqact@lokvani.cnbra.com
 
Mrs. Manju Jehu
Convenor ,indian Programmeing Group,
45 Coverdale street, Indooroopilly, QLD-4068
Fax: 07-3879 9528,
Email: manjujehu@yahoo.com.au
 
Mr. Manish Raj
Radio Manpasand,
3, Eton Place, KAMBAH ACT - 2901,
Tel:02-62965989(W)
Email: radiomanpasand@yahoo.com.au
 
Mr. Vikram Sharma
Producer, Voice of India,
and Producer, Voice of India Monika Geetmala TV,
478-480, Cleaveland St.,Surrry Hill NSW 2010,
Tel: 02-9698 2604,
Fax: 9699 1478,
Email: vikramgm@hotmail.com
 
Ms. Sudha Saini
Producer/President, Indian Television,
122, Victoria Road, Hawthorn East Victoria 3123 Melbourne
Tel: 03 9882 2527,
Mobile: 0410 865108
Email: sudhasaini@hotmail.com
 
Ms. Manpreet Singh
Executive Producer. Punjabi Programme
SBS Radio; freelance journalist,
Level 2, Alfred Deakin Building, Federation Square, Melbourne 3000
Phone: 03 9949 2264
Email: manpreet.singh@sbs.com.au
 
Mr. Sashi Singh,
Producer/Presenter, Hindi Radio Jhankaar,
PO Box 170, Rooty Hill NSW 2766
Tel: 02-9625 2625
Fax: 02-9625 2735
Email: sashisingh@bigpond.com/ radiojhankaar@hotmail.com