Australia to set up new Consulate-Genera in Kolkata

Australia will set up a new Consulate-General in Kolkata, taking the total number of its diplomatic posts in India to four.

The new mission would be part of the government's largest diplomatic expansion in over 40 years, said a joint statement issued by Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Trade, Tourism and Investment Minister Steven Ciobo.

The Australian government will provide 10.8 million dollars to set up the Consulate-General in Kolkata, it said.

Currently, Australia has its High Commission in New Delhi and Consulates-General in Mumbai and Chennai.

The new Consulate-General in Kolkata would help Australian businesses access opportunities in India's growing mining sector, and protect and advance our interests in a changing Indo-Pacific, the statement said.

Australia's High Commissioner to India Harinder Sidhu welcomed the government's announcement to fund the Consulate-General in Kolkata and extend the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund (AISRF).

"These announcements cement Australia's commitment to India as a first tier partnership," she said.

"The Consulate-General in Kolkata will strengthen bilateral trade and investment, particularly in the mining and resources sectors. We look forward to strengthening our engagement with West Bengal and surrounding states."