More than 100 key stakeholders from government, industry, academia and the Australia–India business community convened at Parliament House in Canberra for the India Australia Business & Community Alliance (IABCA) Future of Industries Roundtable.
The invitation-only event was co-hosted with Cabinet Secretary and Assistant Minister for Science, Technology and the Digital Economy, Dr Andrew Charlton, and took place ahead of the anticipated visit of the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, to Australia. The discussions focused on opportunities and priorities expected to shape the next phase of Australia–India economic engagement.
Speaking at the Roundtable, Dr Charlton once again reiterated the importance of the Australia-India bilateral relationship. The discussions were aligned with the Government’s new roadmap for economic engagement with India and centred on two key themes:
- Talent, Skills & Leadership Mobility
- Business Connectivity, Market Access & Investment
Sarah Storey, First Assistant Secretary of the South and Central Asia Division at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), highlighted India’s growing importance as an economic partner for Australia.
“India is a critical trade and investment partner for Australia. The New Roadmap for Australia’s Economic Engagement with India articulates a clear framework for our economic priorities with India—including where there is significant untapped potential.”
“Our highly complementary economies offer great opportunities in key future industries, including clean energy, agriculture and technologies, supported by our world-class education system and strong diaspora community.”
The Roundtable also welcomed Nagesh Singh, the incoming High Commissioner of India to Australia, who joined representatives from government, industry and academia during the program.
Among the other eminent guests present were Shadow Minister for Education and Indigenous Australians Julian Leeser, Federal MP for Holt Cassandra Fernando, AIBC National Chair Deepak-Raj Gupta, Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) Dr Paul Grimes PSM and Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for Australia–India Relations (CAIR) Ryan Neelam.
IABCA Founder Sonia Sadiq Gandhi said the event came at a pivotal moment in the bilateral relationship.
“India presents one of Australia’s most significant long-term economic opportunities. The Future of Industries Roundtable recognises that future economic growth across every sector is enabled by talent, innovation, investment and business connectivity.”
The Future of Industries Roundtable forms part of IABCA’s broader national engagement agenda, which includes the 2026 IABCA Australia Immersion Week. The program is expected to bring a delegation of Indian CEOs to Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria in September.
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