The Hon Stephen Smith MP, Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade
Australian Commonwealth Coat of Arms

The Hon Stephen Smith mp

Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

Australian Foreign Minister meets Indian Prime Minister Singh

Media release

4 March 2010

I met with Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on 4 March.

We discussed the strength and vitality of the Australia-India relationship and ways to enhance the strategic partnership and Joint Declaration on Security agreed by the two Prime Ministers in November last year.

We welcomed the extent of high level visits between the two countries, and I reiterated Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's invitation for Prime Minister Singh to visit Australia.

I welcomed the rapid increase in trade and economic relations between our two countries, with an increase of more than 50% in bilateral trade in the last year alone. Prime Minister Singh noted the strong presence of Indian IT companies in Australia and encouraged greater Australian investment in India. He supported even deeper education and science and technology links between the two countries.

We both recognized the importance of people to people links, and the role and contribution of the Indian community in Australia to strengthening the bilateral relationship. Prime Minister Singh underlined the goodwill between the two countries.

I assured Prime Minister Singh that the Australian Government was taking the issue of Indian student safety seriously. Prime Minister Singh said he appreciated the Australian Government's efforts to address this issue.

I thanked Prime Minister Singh for the support and cooperation Australian authorities had received in relation to India's security arrangements and preparations for high level sporting events in India. Australia looked forward to a successful Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.

I also met with Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs, Mr Vayalar Ravi, and briefed him on the steps the Australian Government is taking to ensure a safe and rewarding study experience for Indian students, including changes we have made recently to our skilled migration program.

We discussed our joint desire to conclude a bilateral social security agreement, which will facilitate greater people to people links.

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