OREANDA-NEWS. An Australian delegation led by Mr. Andrew Robb, Trade and Investment Minister, Australia met Union Minister of Steel & Mines Shri Narendra Singh Tomar at Udyog Bhawan, New Delhi yesterday. Senior officials from the governments of India and Australia and CEOs from the companies in both the countries were present during the meeting.

Shri Tomar remarked that such bilateral meetings contribute significantly in strengthening the political and economic relations between the two countries. He invited the mining companies from Australia to be a partner in developing the mining sector in India. While highlighting the issues of concern, he mentioned reducing the high waiting time for ships at the coal loading ports in Australia, improving availability of rail and port capacities for transporting coking coal to port and creating opportunities for sale or investments in the equity of good coking coal assets in Australia. Terming the deliberations fruitful, Shri Tomar assured the delegation that their concerns will be addressed and expressed confidence that bilateral relations will become better and stronger, paving way for progress on both sides.

Mr. Andrew Robb pointed out that around one-third members in the 450-strong delegation that has come to India, represent mining sector. He expressed the desire of Australian government to take the relations between the two countries to a higher level. Mr. Robb complimented the new government for bringing in forward-looking and progressive changes in the mining sector. The meeting, like other meetings they had in India, has been frank and fruitful, marked by a genuine constructive approach and infectious energy and momentum, he added. Mr. Robb commended the stable policy regime, which is sure to attract investors to India and agreed with the general perception that red tape is being transformed to red carpet.