Chennai: Australian high commissioner to India Patrick Suckling reiterated his country’s commitment to sign a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India within a year.
Addressing academicians and members of the Indo-Australian Association after presenting the Indo- Australian Award for Meritorious Service 2014 to Elizabeth Verghese, chairperson of the Hindustan group of institutions, on Saturday, Mr Patrick Suckling said that Indian PM Mr Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Tony Abbott had made an announcement in Canberra recently about the FTA deal within one year.
“We just concluded some significant FTA deals with China, Japan and South Korea. We are now focusing on India. Mr Modi has said that FTA has to be signed as fast as possible. It would give a deep sense of how they want to build economic relationships between both the countries,” he said.
Terming Mr Modi’s recent speech in the Australian Parliament ‘crystal clear’, Mr Suckling said that it indicated the strong intention of his (Modi’s) government’s commitment to develop economy and build relations with Australia. “India needs energy security and we (Australia) have lot of resources. We will help India by providing resources like gas, coal and uranium and also work together in areas like education and skill development. India wants to transform its mining industry and energy sector, for which we will provide our expertise,” he added.
Expressing strong hope that it was a good time to foster bilateral relationships with India and Australia, Mr Suckling said that the Indian PM’s visit covered all areas of mutual interest, including defence and energy security.
