India, Australia discuss bilateral economic cooperation, back CHOGM in Sri Lanka

Australian and Indian Foreign Ministers say they will not follow Canada in boycotting the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Sri Lanka due to concerns over the country's human rights issues.

Australia's Foreign Minister Julie Bishop	Indian External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid

Speaking at a press conference with her Indian counterpart Salman Khurshid in Perth last Thursday, Australia's Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said it was important to engage with Sri Lanka as it rebuilt itself in the aftermath of a 30-year conflict.

“It's our view that Commonwealth countries should work with Sri Lanka to meet the challenges that they face and we certainly will be encouraging countries to do that,” Bishop said.

“We have sent that message to Canada in a number of ways.

They make their own decision obviously.

“But both Prime Minister Tony Abbott and I will be there, working with the Sri Lankan government, encouraging the Sri Lankan government to address its challenges to be a contributing regional and Commonwealth global nation.

“We think that's essential for the long-term prospects of reconciliation in Sri Lanka.”

Indian External Affairs Minister Khurshid said he would attend, but it was yet to be confirmed whether Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would also be there.

He said it was important that the Commonwealth was strengthened.

“People have very strong deep-rooted views about what should be done,” he said.

“There are obviously very, very serious concerns that may have been felt in domestic terms by the Canadian government.

“But I think it is important for leaders to take some things in their stride and look at the larger picture and the commitment that we all have to the Commonwealth.”

Khurshid was in Perth for key talks at the Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation meeting on Friday.

Finalising civil nuclear cooperation pact

Meanwhile, India and Australia will hold the third round of talks in the last week of November to expedite negotiations for finalising a civil nuclear cooperation pact.

Civil nuclear cooperation and other key bilateral issues, including security and economic cooperation, were discussed between the two ministers at their Perth meeting.

“The Ministers reaffirmed the commitment of both countries to finalise a Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement to enable the sale of Australian uranium to India and announced that the third round of negotiations would be held in Delhi in the week of November 25,” a statement on the Australian Foreign Minister's official website said.

If the two nations go ahead with the deal, India will be the first customer of Australia that is not a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Australia holds about a third of the world's recoverable uranium resources, and exports nearly 7,000 tonnes a year.

“Advancing relations with India is a priority for the Australian Government,” Bishop said after holding bilateral talks with Khurshid.

“Our discussion followed very productive talks between Prime Minister Abbott and Prime Minister Singh at the annual Leaders’ Meeting in Brunei on October 10,” she said. During their discussions, the two Ministers discussed the importance of building a strategic relationship on energy security and indicated that the two sides were working to finalise the dates for the second ministerial meeting on energy security.

“Following the successful visit by Indian Defence Minister Antony to Australia in June, we also had good discussions on how to strengthen our security and strategic cooperation, including reviewing progress towards conducting a bilateral maritime exercise in 2015,” Bishop said.

The two leaders also discussed ways to enhance bilateral economic cooperation and work closely in areas of common priority.

“We agreed that the conclusion of a high-quality Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement would underpin a further significant expansion of the trade and investment relationship to mutual benefit,” she said.

“I underlined Australia's interest in working closely with India in the G20 on areas of common priority, including investment and financing, during Australia's 2014 host year.

“I briefed Minister Khurshid on the Australian Government's commitment to open trade and investment policies and welcomed further Indian investment into Australia,” Bishop said. Khurshid and Bishop also confirmed that the inaugural cyber security dialogue would be held in the first half of 2014 and reiterated the two countries’ commitment to work together to address threats such as terrorism and transnational crime.

“People-to-people links are an important element of the bilateral relationship, with India now the largest source of skilled migrants to Australia and the second largest source of international students.Australia is pleased that a major conference of persons of Indian origin, the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, will be held in Australia in November,” Bishop said.

Australia and India agreed to a Strategic Partnership in 2009 in recognition of the significance and potential of the bilateral relationship.

India is Australia's fifth-largest export market and a significant investor in Australia.

- Foreign Media