The Australian Minister for Trade, Mr. Simon Crean meeting the Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Anand Sharma, in New Delhi on May 04, 2010.

Shri Anand Sharma, the Union Minister of Commerce & Industry and Mr. Simon Crean, the Australian Trade Minister while reviewing India-Australia bilateral trade and investment relations, welcomed the continued rapid expansion and the strengthening of economic ties between the two countries.  The Ministers agreed that there remained significant potential for sustained growth in trade and investment flows between the two countries.  They were participating at the 12th meeting of the India-Australia Joint Ministerial
Commission (JMC). During the meeting, the Ministers released the Report of the India-Australia FTA Joint Feasibility Study Group. They noted that the Joint Study Group had recommended negotiation of a comprehensive bilateral FTA and endorsed the feasibility study recommendation noting that both sides would need to undertake further internal processes before negotiations could be launched.

The Ministers also reviewed the current status of bilateral cooperation in important sectors such as minerals, energy, environment, information and communication technology, science and technology, biotechnology, education and training, tourism, financial and other services, agriculture, retail, and infrastructure.
Both sides agreed to expedite constitution of the India-Australia CEOs Forum and looked forward to Australia hosting the first meeting of the Forum. The Ministers welcomed the opportunity to engage with the India-Australia Joint Business Council and underlined the importance of greater contact between Australian and Indian business

President of India returns from fruitful China visit

Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil , President of India embarked on a State visit to China from May 26 to 31, 2010 at the SPEECH BY HER EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT OF INDIA, SHRIMATI PRATIBHA DEVISINGH PATIL AT THE INDIA - CHINA BUSINESS FORUM invitation of His Excellency Mr. Hu Jintao, the President of the People's Republic of China. This is the first visit by the President of India to China in a decade. I will visit Beijing, Luoyang and Shanghai. It is particularly significant that the visit took place in the 60th Anniversary year of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of India and the People's Republic of China. “China is India's largest neighbour in terms of area, as well as population. India attaches great importance to its relations with China. Our two countries enjoy a Strategic and Cooperative Partnership. We also have a 'Shared Vision for the 21st Century', which acknowledges that the India - China partnership transcends the purely bilateral and has global implications. This understanding and awareness is the basis for our cooperation on international matters,” Said the President in her departure statement. The three business to business MoUs  were signed during the visit. The two nations also agreed to increase cooperation and coordination in multilateral economic forums including in the G-20 and the Doha Round of global trade negotiations. The President focused attention on India's aspirations for a permanent seat in a reformed United Nations Security Council. President Hu and Premier Wen were understanding and supportive of India's desire. President Hu expressed China's support for India's candidature for a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council for 2011-2012. One agreement and two MOUs between India and China were signed in Beijing in the presence of President Hu and the President Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil. Each of them will aid the process of further enhancing bilateral ties.