Technology Council of Australia (TCA) and India’s NASSCOM (National Association of Software and Service Companies) recently formalised a partnership aimed at intensifying cooperation in the fields of digital trade, technology innovation, and regulatory alignment. The MoU, which was signed at the National Tech Summit in Sydney on 16 September 2025, builds on existing frameworks of economic cooperation between India and Australia, especially under the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA).
Under the new agreement, both parties committed to facilitating business-to-business engagement, sharing knowledge and best practices, improving access to each other’s markets for tech goods and services, and promoting joint innovation efforts involving startups, research institutions, and deep tech firms. The aim is to ease regulatory friction, ensure smoother cross-border flows, and strengthen innovation ecosystems in both nations.
For Australia, partnering with India’s large and growing tech sector presents opportunities to access talent, engage in collaborative R&D, and expand trade in services and digital products. For India, one of the prospective gains is enhanced entry into the Australian tech market, not just for large companies but especially for smaller and newer players. The MoU is expected to lower barriers in setting up operations, reduce initial costs of market entry, and improve credibility via partnerships and recognition in Australia’s regulated environment.
The agreement is timely given global competition in technology and digital trade. As nations are increasingly shaping regulations around emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, data governance, cybersecurity, and digital services, alignment and cooperation become critical. By establishing frameworks for policy dialogue, standards coordination, and mutual market access, the MoU can help both sides navigate regulatory shifts and avoid trade frictions.
Overall, this MoU reflects a broader trend in which industry bodies are becoming key partners in shaping international tech policy and trade. Such partnerships can help bridge gaps between regulatory intent and business reality, especially for sectors evolving rapidly. This agreement aims to strengthen India-Australia ties in digital trade, offer boost to innovation, and help tech firms in both countries scale and collaborate more effectively.
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