Efforts are on to boost Indo-Australian ties with a special emphasis on the agriculture sector. The Deputy High Commissioner of the Australian High Commission, Mr Bernard Philip said the three main thrust areas for the Indo-Australian cooperation programmes include steps to increase agricultural productivity, to develop skills in education and water management schemes.
Talking to reports here on Monday, Mr Philip said he was here to oversee the ongoing projects in the state. He would be meeting the state Chief Secretary, Mr Javed Usmani on Wednesday in this connection. The Second Secretary of the Australian High Commission Dr Anna Garretson who is also accompanying the Deputy High Commssioner explained that a number of programmes were already in progress in IIT, Kanpur, Benaras Hindu University and Amity University.
Giving details of the interactive projects between the two countries, Mr Philip said India was the second largest country in sending students for pursuing studies in Australia. Some of the areas for furthering collaboration between India and Australia are-Infrastructure development, Energy, managing water scarcity, health and exploring ground water resources.Moreover emphasis is also being given to develop industrial corridors and include collaboration with more technical institutes. He said
Australia had expertise in developing a number of techincal institutes. Mr Philip said India was one of the major countries in sending skilled persons to Australia. In fact he explained that the two countries had some common issues and hence the cooperation programmes between the two countries would be in the larger interest of both the countries.
Besides encouraging more education programmes for students, Australia, he said, had simplified the procedures in obtaining visa in an effort to encourage more Indians to go to Australia. He went on say that India was a major exporter of mangoes. "We are now trying to increase the trade ties in this direction".