President Kovind arrives in Australia to discuss bilateral talks
President Ram Nath Kovind arrived in Australia today on a three-day visit, becoming the first-ever Indian head of state to visit the country. Kovind, who landed in Sydney from Vietnam along with his wife Savita Kovind on their second leg of two-nation visit, will hold talks with Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison and discuss bilateral issues. He received a warm welcome on his arrival.
Kovind to address Indian diaspora, meet Victoria's Governor
During his three-day visit, the President will attend the unveiling ceremony of a statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Sydney's Parramatta suburb on Thursday to mark his 150th birth anniversary. He will also address the Indian diaspora and business community. In Melbourne on Friday, he will meet Victoria's Governor Linda Dessau and leader of the opposition and Leader of the Labor Party Bill Shorten.
Kovind's visit shows Indo-Aus relationship is progressing: Indian envoy
Kovind is also expected to oversee the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Austrade and Invest India, apart from a mining research agreement and two university collaborations. Yesterday, Indian envoy to Australia, Ajay Gondane, told Australian Financial Review newspaper that Kovind's visit shows the relationship between two countries was on an upward trajectory and it was likely to give it a positive momentum.
India no longer an elephant, more like a deer: Gondane
Gondane said it was important for Australia to realize while China was a dragon, India was no longer an elephant and more like a deer. "India's economy has been expanding at a rate of 6-7% and even 8%. With this expansion of the Indian economy, we hope that Australians will now catch on and be a willing partner," the envoy said.
Multilateral co-operation will increase over time, hopes Gondane
Gondane further said, "The relationship was progressing and the two sides have held bilateral military exercises and the multilateral co-operation would increase over time." He added that the exchanges between the two countries have been at a very high level.
'By 2025, India will see a lot of Australian investments'
On export and investment targets, Gondane said it was achievable and he expected Australia to achieve its India export and investment growth targets, set out in the recently-launched Indian economic strategy report before 2035. "By 2025, you'll see a lot of Australian investments...Once it's realized in Australia that you can invest in India and take a lot of profit, that will accelerate," Gondane said.
Adani Carmichael mine would be test case in Australia: Gondane
Gondane also hoped that investments by Indian companies in Australia will expand, stating that projects like the Adani Carmichael mine would be a test case. "The company has invested so much of its money in the project. Let's hope this comes to fruition," he said.
'Despite concerns on sugar subsidies, relationship with India is strong'
Recently, Australia announced it was formally referring India to the World Trade Organization (WTO) over its sugar subsidies. Australian Trade Minister, Simon Birmingham, said Australia would engage in formal discussions with India and other WTO members at the upcoming WTO Committee of Agriculture meeting. "Despite our concerns on sugar subsidies, our relationship with India is far stronger than this one particular issue," Birmingham said.
