Australia India
Many cultural, economic and political links connect these two former British colonies together.
Cricket links
Australia and India have a long history of cricketing rivalry and the two countries have been involved in many exciting matches.
Before the 1990s, Australian teams visiting India viewed the country as a mystic and exotic land. They had often trouble adjusting to the culture and food. But the game’s popularity in India and the nation’s rising economic fortunes turned the global cricketing order on its head.
Australian cricketers such as Brett Lee made use of their popularity in India to endorse products and make good money. The founding of the Indian Premier League cricket tournament in 2008 helped Australian cricketers earn megabucks by representing Indian franchises. Thanks to the lure of riches Australian cricketers are now more ready to embrace and adjust to the Indian way of life.
In 2012, Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard on a visit to India conferred the Order of Australia Medal on legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar to signify the importance of Indo-Australian cricketing links and partnership.
Australia-India Trade
Trade has boomed between Australia and India in the past few years and touched $21 billion in 2012. Australia now considers India a leading international trade and investment partner and India reciprocates the sentiment. The two countries expect bilateral business to double to $40 billion in the next five years.
Australia and India are vibrant democracies that have formed a strategic partnership to drive growth in investment and trade. India invested $11 billion in Australia 2011 mainly in the fields of IT services and natural resources.
Foreign students from India are a huge market for the Australian education sector and their numbers are increasing after brief setbacks due to stricter regulations and racist attacks.
India exports software and IT-enabled services to Australia which has become a key market for Indian IT companies. The two nations are focusing on improving trade and cooperation in the areas of tourism development, education, medical tourism, information technology, infrastructure and mining among others.
