Oz Trade Minister in India to boost economic relationship

New Delhi, May 3 (ANI): Australia's Minister for Trade Simon Crean is in India on a weeklong visit to strengthen partnership and lay the groundwork for continued growth in the trade and economic relationship.

Crean visit to India started on May 2 and will last on May 8 during which he will take the Australia-India trade relationship to a new level.

The Australian Trade Minister will discuss the finalisation of the bilateral FTA Feasibility Study in meetings with his counterpart Minister of Commerce and Industry Anand Sharma in New Delhi.

India has a population of 1.2 billion, is the world's largest democracy and is Australia's fastest growing major trade relationship.

"This will be my third visit to India and comes at a crucial time with booming trade and investment between the two nations and an opportunity for even greater growth.The Government has put India in the front rank of our international partnerships," Crean said.

On Monday Crean will meet with the Chairman of the Organising Committee of the New Delhi Commonwealth Games, Suresh Kalmadi, and will be briefed on preparations for the October 2010 event.

"The Games will be a great event for India and New Delhi and we look forward to Australia sending its largest Commonwealth Games team ever," he said.

"Part of discussions will be security arrangements for Australians representing Australia at the Games. We are pleased with cooperation so far and these talks will continue with the Games less than six months away."

Crean's visit will include the capital New Delhi, the financial centre Mumbai and Hyderabad.

In Delhi, Crean will discuss the FTA feasibility study and meet Indian Ministers from a variety of portfolios to push forward the broad bilateral agenda.

Along with his counterpart Sharma, Crean will address the Confederation of Indian Industry and meet delegates from the Joint Business Council.

He will host a function in honour of the Advance Emerging Leaders India Summit, which is being held in Delhi on 4 May. (ANI)