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India and Australia Expand Trade Talks on Minerals, Investment
India and Australia already trade a lot with each other.
They want to make their economic relationship even stronger.
The countries are discussing a larger trade agreement called the CECA.
They are also discussing rules to protect companies that invest in each other’s countries.
Australia has important minerals, while India wants to expand manufacturing and processing.
The two countries also want to cooperate on renewable energy, education and professional services.
They are considering ways for accountants to work more easily across both countries.
They may also explore programs allowing students to study in both countries.
India and Australia are negotiating a broader Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement beyond their 2022 trade pact.
The countries are also working toward a bilateral investment treaty to support investment between their markets.
Cooperation is expected to cover critical minerals, manufacturing, renewable-energy technology, education and professional services.
India and Australia are exploring easier movement of accounting professionals through deeper mutual-recognition arrangements.
Bilateral trade in goods and services reached $50.2 billion in 2025, while investment stocks totaled $26.8 billion for Australia in India and $45.3 billion for India in Australia.
- Who
- India and Australia, with Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal outlining the plans.
- What
- The countries are negotiating a broader trade agreement and a bilateral investment treaty while expanding cooperation in minerals, education, manufacturing and services.
- Where
- The plans were discussed at the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India’s first Oceania International Conference 2026 in Australia.
- When
- The announcement was made on Friday; the existing Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement was signed in 2022, and bilateral trade totaled $50.2 billion in 2025.
- Why
- To deepen economic ties, improve investment protections, strengthen critical-mineral supply and processing, and reduce regulatory barriers.
Key facts
- Existing agreement
- India and Australia signed the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement in 2022.
- Proposed trade pact
- The countries are negotiating a broader Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement.
- Investment treaty
- India and Australia are working toward a bilateral investment treaty.
- Bilateral trade
- Goods and services trade was worth $50.2 billion in 2025.
- Australia’s exports to India
- About $32 billion in goods and services in FY2024-25.
- India’s exports to Australia
- Around $18 billion in FY2024-25.
- Investment stocks
- At the end of 2025, Australia’s investment stock in India was $26.8 billion, while India’s investment stock in Australia was $45.3 billion.
Quotes
Piyush Goyal
India’s Commerce and Industry Minister
“We have critical minerals. We have manufacturing and processing ambitions”
livemint.com
“We are working with Australia to have a bilateral investment treaty also”
livemint.com
Sources
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