'India can use Aus expertise in water mgmt, skills, services'

India and Australia need to work together in a host of areas, including water management, skill development and minerals, an Indian official said.
"Clearly, Australia sees the Indian economic story. It has benefited enormously from its 20 years engagement with China, but as Chinese economy begins to slow, India is seen as a natural partner," Indian High Commissioner to Australia Navdeep Suri told PTI.
This is more relevant particularly in the areas where Australia's strengths complements Indian requirements, he added.
"So in mining sector, for example, there is a substantial discussion on mining and engineering services. So, its not just a mine but the whole ecosystem. And when it comes to scale and technology, Australia is a world leader," Suri said.

When asked about the sectors that India can invest in Australia, he pointed out skill development and other areas.
"Australia is regarded as a world leader not just for its universities, but also vocational and training institutions. There are a number of conversations going in this regard as our Prime Minister has the ambitious programme of skilling millions of young Indians.

"Australian vocational institutions have developed most advanced and innovative curriculum for skills like automotive welder, electrician, and others. As Indian economy grows, we will need such skills in large numbers and we have little time at hand," he added.

That apart, there is lot of potential in water management because Australia, like India, is largely a semi-arid country, he said.
"Australia has done a lot of work in recharging aquifers, efficient water saving and other areas and they are seen internationally as world leaders. From India's perspective, it can be a great area," he noted.
According to him, India can also leverage Australia's huge natural resources such as LNG and coal as well as its advances in clean coal technologies and renewable energy.
Last week, Australia's Minister for Trade and Investment Andrew Robb told PTI that his country is looking at India as a "favourable" investment destination and is keen to invest in LNG, financial services, education and healthcare sectors of the USD 2-trillion economy.

He added that India presents some "great" prospects for Australian businesses on account of a huge market of 1.2 billion people.
India and Australia are also close to finalising the comprehensive economic cooperation agreement (CECA) to give a fillip to trade and investments between the two countries.
On the avenues that India can offer for investing, the
High Commissioner said Australia is looking at sectors like services.
"Although everybody talks about Australia's agriculture, dairy and resources sectors, but 70 per cent of its economy is services. It sees a lot of potential for its companies to go to the Indian market and exploit these opportunities.

"There is a lot of interest by Rio Tinto (in mining), by some other Australian companies. It has come up for discussion...," he added.
Suri said that starting with Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott's visit to India in September 2014 and the "very successful" visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November 2015, bilateral relations have been given a strong momentum.
"There was a feeling on both sides that there is a lot of catching up to do for lost time. As you know, Modi's visit was the first by an Indian Prime Minister in 28 years.
"Over the last year, we have successfully resolved the uranium issue, the agreement has been ratified by both sides. Commercialisation is beginning, so an issue that had lingered for so many years is out of the way," he said.

On the issue of attacks on Indian students in Australia, he said both governments have done a lot of work.
Australia has put in place systems to ensure that there is more sensitivity about issues of racial violence and that these measures are working, as can be seen in the rebound in the number of Indian students going to Australia, he asserted.
"Post the attacks, from a high of about 90,000, it had gone to around 39,000 students. Today, it is back up to around 69,000," he added.
Progress is also happening in other areas, like Energy Dialogue and the India Australia Education Council, which is being headed at the ministerial level.

"Another area is Australia India Strategic Research Fund, a USD 120 million fund, USD 60 million from each side.
"They have incubated 239 separate research projects in areas from clean coal to energy efficiency, nanotechnology, and biotechnology to producing lentils and chickpeas which are fortified with iron," Suri noted.
He said Australia can also provide its expertise in water resources and river basin management.
"Australia did linking of its Murray and Darling rivers almost a 100 years back. Today, as we proceed on that path of linking our surplus and deficit rivers, Australia has got a century of experience in terms of technology, environmental impact, silting, marine life and others," he added.

He further said: "I can tell you that view from Canberra is that they see India as a large stable country, which is democratic, transparent and predictable in its behaviour and with growing naval capabilities."
"It is also reflected in the first ever India Australia maritime exercises in the Bay of Bengal in Vishakhatpatnam in September 2015," he said.