Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has met with India’s Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to explore new opportunities for collaboration in higher education and training.
Mr Crisafulli said Queensland was eager to strengthen academic and skills partnerships with India.
“Queensland is open for learning and we are keen to grow this part of our economy by sharing our skills with one of the world’s fastest growing economies,”
Premier Crisafulli said.
He noted he was joined by representatives from 11 Queensland universities, including the Vice-Chancellors of the University of Queensland, QUT and Griffith University, to discuss how institutions could partner both in Australia and abroad.
According to Mr Crisafulli, Minister Pradhan “sees value in the prospect of Queensland universities and training providers growing with his country”.
“We are up for the challenge,”
he added.
In Mumbai, Premier Crisafulli launched ‘Taste of Queensland Week’, showcasing premium food and agricultural products to India’s booming gourmet market.
At India’s largest gourmet food destination, Food Square India, Mr Crisafulli joined celebrations featuring produce from nine Queensland companies, including avocados, Desi chickpeas, macadamias and Manuka honey.
The event highlights Queensland’s growing role in meeting India’s demand for high-quality, versatile and health-conscious ingredients.
The push builds on momentum created by the Australia–India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement, which has accelerated Queensland’s food and agriculture exports to India.
Speaking on LinkedIn during his trade mission, Mr Crisafulli underlined the strength of Queensland’s wider economic partnership with India.
“The Indian economy is growing rapidly, and Queensland’s natural resources are helping power that growth.”
He added, “It was great to meet with representatives from JSW Group, Tata Group and Reliance Industries Limited, which collectively employ hundreds of thousands of workers and support resource jobs right across Queensland.”
“We are here to prove we are a stable and reliable partner as they expand and invest in their future.”
In August, the Crisafulli Government launched the Queensland-India Trade and Investment Strategy 2025–2028, setting out clear priorities to grow ties in energy and resources, food and agriculture, life sciences, health innovation, sports technology and research.
Finance, Trade, Employment and Training Minister Ros Bates said the strategy was a blueprint for building deeper ties with Queensland’s fourth-largest trading partner and second-largest export market.
“A stronger trading relationship with India means more and better-paying jobs, and that is a central part of delivering Queenslanders the lifestyle they deserve,”
Ms Bates said.
Trade and Investment Queensland will lead the strategy’s rollout, working with exporters and investors to open new markets, attract investment and forge enduring partnerships.
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