Australian PM arrives on four-day India visit
April 09, 2017 19:14
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull arrived in New Delhi today on a four-day India visit during which he will hold talks with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on ways to boost ties in key areas including defence, security, energy and trade.
However, the much-anticipated economic pact between India and Australia will not be inked during his visit.
According to External Affairs Ministry, the two countries are likely to sign a number of MoUs covering a range of areas including defence and security, environment, renewable energy, sports and trade.
It will be Turnbull's first visit to the country after assuming office in 2015.
India is also likely to raise the issue of security of Indians in Australia in the wake of incidents of attacks on some of them.
Ahead of his visit, Australia's high commissioner to India Harinder Sidhu had clearly said that the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement will not be signed during the trip.
"Negotiations are underway but the pact will not be signed," Sidhu had said.
The talks for CECA were launched in 2011 and during the visit of former Australian PM Tony Abbott in 2014, the two sides had expressed the hope that the pact would be inked by the end of 2015, a deadline which has already been missed.
TOP STORIES
© 2024 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances