The Australia India Business Council (AIBC) hosted its Australia–India Bilateral Business Dialogue this week in Sydney, bringing into focus two central themes: Global Tariff Dynamics and Australia’s Renewed Engagement Roadmap with India.
The overarching message was clear—the time is now for Australian businesses to capitalise on strategic partnerships with India.
Tim Thomas and Ari Nagar from the Centre for Australia–India Relations (CAIR), who were part of the dialogue, identified clean energy, education & skills, agribusiness and tourism, as “super highways of growth,” highlighting the rising levels of Government-to-Government (G2G) and Government-to-Business (G2B) engagement.
According to CAIR agri exports from Australia to India increased by 146% while non coal exports rose by 95% after ECTA (Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement) was implemented.
Several other areas were identified as sectors of interest.
CAIR CEO, Tim Thomas, however mentioned that while overall economic scenario was looking good, direct FDI from Australia to India was still at low levels.
With trade momentum growing under the Australia–India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA), and increased synergy across key sectors, the Australia–India relationship is poised for a period of transformative growth. Discussions centred on opportunities in global trade, critical minerals, smart energy, defence, and commercial collaboration.
AIBC NSW President Irfan Malik welcomed delegates and reflected on the progress made since the ECTA came into effect in December 2022. He emphasised the need to support more Australian—especially regional—businesses in accessing India’s high-growth markets, with the shared trade goal of $100 billion by 2030. “AIBC, as the leading bilateral industry body, is working closely with government and industry stakeholders in both countries to deliver real trade outcomes,” he noted.
AIBC National Chair Deepak-Raj Gupta OAM reaffirmed AIBC’s commitment to guiding businesses through this evolving landscape. “Australia–India trade relations are unique. It’s vital we convert opportunities into lasting partnerships, and AIBC is here to assist in that journey,” he said.
Nirav Kumar Sutaria, Consul (Commercial) at the Consulate General of India, Sydney, remarked, “We are in a new era of the India–Australia partnership.”
Leonie Ferretter, Partner at BDO Australia, provided key insights into Global Tariff Dynamics, underlining the opportunities emerging from current free trade agreements between the two nations.
Closing the session, BDO Partner Burton Andrews extended a vote of thanks and urged Australian businesses to explore entry into the Indian market, leveraging strategic support from organisations such as AIBC.
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