Indian High Commissioner to Australia, Gopal Baglay, engaged in discussions with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, covering a broad spectrum of bilateral cooperation between the two nations. The meeting highlighted the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and Australia, emphasizing prospects for elevated collaboration.
The Indian High Commission in Australia shared insights from the meeting, citing a “Cordial and Substantive conversation” on various aspects of bilateral cooperation. Notably, recent talks on the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) underscored progress made after nine rounds of negotiations, aiming for a balanced outcome beneficial to both sides.
Australia holds significance as a key trading partner of India in the Oceania region, with trade values hitting approximately 24 billion USD in the past fiscal year, indicating considerable potential for further growth and economic engagement.
Addressing concerns related to Indian students seeking education in Australia, Australian High Commissioner Philip Green clarified misconceptions about visa rejections. He emphasized that there hasn’t been a surge in visa rejections for Indian students by Australian universities, contrary to some media reports. Green emphasized the need to ensure that students from reputable institutions have a positive educational experience in Australia, signaling a welcoming stance towards Indian students pursuing education in Australia.
Furthermore, Envoy Green lauded the collaboration between India and Australia in the education and skill development sectors. He highlighted the significant milestone of an Australian university opening its foreign branch in India, marking a positive step towards enhancing educational ties between the two countries.
Overall, the discussions and statements reflect the ongoing efforts to strengthen bilateral ties across various domains, including trade, education, and cooperation in strategic partnerships between India and Australia.