India-Australia Relations Get Stronger – What Is Migration Deal?

Prateek Mattoo
May 26, 2023
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India and Australia signed a migration and mobility agreement on Wednesday to expand opportunities for students and businesspeople, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese discussed ways to advance cooperation in critical areas such as critical minerals and renewable energy. The two leaders met one day after attending an Indian diaspora event at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena.

Why In the News?

India And Australia Signed A Migration & Mobility Pact To Open Up Opportunities For Students & Businesspeople As They Aim To Strengthen Their Economic Cooperation.
The Announcement Came After Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Met His Counterpart Anthony Albanese In Sydney.

What Is Migration Deal?

The Deal Aims To “Promote The 2-Way Mobility Of Students, Graduates, Academic Researchers & Businesspeople”.
Australia Already Has A Significant Number Of People Who Have Migrated From India.
More Than A Million People Who Moved To Australia Since 2016, Almost A Quarter Were From India.
The Finalised Migration Agreement Will Also Lead To The Creation Of A New Scheme Called MATES
(Mobility Arrangement For Talented Early Professionals Scheme), Which Has Been “Specifically Created For India”.

Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement

Reiterated Their Commitment To Concluding A Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) By The End Of The Year To Build On An Interim Deal That Took Effect Last December.
The Next Two Rounds Of Talks On CECA Are Scheduled For June And July.

India-Australia Free Trade Agreement

Australian PM Anthony Albanese Announced Country’s Free Trade Agreement With India Has Been Passed By The Australian Parliament In 2022.
The India- Australia Economic Cooperation And Trade Agreement (“Indaus ECTA”) Was Signed Virtually In The Presence Of Narendra Modi And Scott Morison.
12,000 Indian Goods (More Than 90 %) Will Get Duty-free Access To The Australian Market.
In The Next 5 Years, It Will Cover 100% Of Indian Goods.
About 70% Of Australian Products Will Get Duty-free And Concessional Access To The Indian Market. (Will Increase To 85 % In 10 Years).
Dairy Sector Is Out Of The Trade Deal.
Indian Exporters In Labour-intensive Ones Like Agriculture, Textiles & Garments And Pharmaceuticals Will Get Duty-free Access To The Australian Market.
The Deal Also Agrees on Freer Mobility Of Skilled Professionals From India.
India Majorly Exports Petroleum Products, Gems And Jewellery, Textiles And Apparel, Engineering Goods, Leather, and Chemicals To Australia.
Australia Is The 17^th Largest Trading Partner Of India And India Is Australia’s 9^th Largest Partner.

PM Modi Attended Business Roundtable In Sydney

PM Narendra Modi Interacted With Australian CEOs At A Business Roundtable In Sydney.
The PM Highlighted The Economic Reforms And Policy Measures Undertaken To Enhance ‘Ease Of Doing Business’ In The Country Providing Investment Opportunities Offered By India In Domains Of Infrastructure Including Digital Infrastructure, IT, Fintech, Telecom, Semiconductors, Space, Renewable Energy Including Green Hydrogen, Education, Pharma, Healthcare Including Medical Devices Manufacturing, Mining Including Critical Minerals, Textile, Agriculture & Food Processing.

PM Modi Shared India’s Achievement In Recent Years

PM Modi Highlighted Numerous Economic Reforms & Initiatives Including Mission Gati Shakti, Jan Dhan-Aadhar-Mobile Trinity, National Education Policy, Hydrogen Mission 2050, PLI Scheme, Private Investment In Space & Geospatial Sector, Medical Devices Manufacturing Policy, Ayushman Bharat, etc.

Important Bilateral Talks Between India & Australia

Both Leaders Also Exchanged Views On India’s Initiatives Under Its G20 Presidency, UN Security Council Reform, And Regional Developments Including The Indo-Pacific Security, Trade & Investment, Defence & Security, Renewable Energy, Green Hydrogen, Critical Minerals, Education, Migration And Mobility.

Sydney’s Harris Park Renamed ‘Little India’

Harris Park Is Home To A Large Indian Community And Is Well- Established As A Unique Destination For Indian Cuisine, And Indian-Owned Businesses.
According To The Australian Government Website, Harris Park Is A “Thriving, Dynamic, Multicultural Hub Known For Its Blend Of Cultures And Large Indian Population”.
Notably, The First Proposal For Officially Naming The Harris Park Area ‘Little India’ Was Made In 2015.

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