
India and Australia have a long history of cooperation, with both countries sharing political, economic, security, cultural, and sporting ties. Both nations were once part of the British Empire and have fought side by side in wars, including WWI in Gallipoli. Today, India and Australia continue to strengthen their relationship through initiatives such as the Australia-India Trade and Investment Accelerator Fund, which aims to facilitate Australian businesses' access to India's dynamic market. Additionally, the two countries have robust people-to-people links, with growing migration, cultural exchanges, and a shared passion for sports like cricket, tennis, and badminton.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Trade partner rank | India is Australia's seventh-largest trading partner and fifth-largest export market |
| Trade growth | Exports to India increased by 35% in 2023 compared to 2022 |
| Major exports to India | Coal, copper, and gold |
| Major imports from India | Refined petroleum, pearls and gems, and medicaments |
| Bilateral trade agreement | India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (IndAus ECTA) signed in 2022 |
| Bilateral relations | Both nations share a "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership" |
| Diplomatic relations | Both nations have High Commissions in each other's capitals and Consulate Generals in other major cities |
| Military cooperation | Regular joint naval exercises (AUSINDEX) |
| Cricket | Test series have occurred every two years for the last decade, and one-day series even more frequently |
| Education | Mutual recognition of qualifications |
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What You'll Learn

Cricket and other sports
Cricket is a national sport in both India and Australia, and the two countries have a long history of cricket rivalry. The first Australian cricket team to tour India did so in 1935, and the countries played their first Test matches in 1947-1948, shortly after Indian independence. The matches were one-sided, with Australia winning all five Tests, and the Australian Board of Control did not invite India back for two decades, fearing financial losses due to a lack of spectator interest.
The Australia-India cricket rivalry has grown in the last two decades, with the two sides having played each other a total of 295 times. Australia has won 143 matches compared to India's 111 victories. Australia has won the ICC Cricket World Cup six times, compared to India's two wins. India has won the ICC Men's T20 World Cup twice, while Australia has won it once. In the ICC Champions Trophy, India has won three times, while Australia has won twice.
The intense rivalry between the two countries has sometimes led to controversies and strained relations. The 1969-70 series in India, which Australia won, was marred by repeated riots, including against the Australian team after Indian umpires ruled against the Indian side. During Australia's tour of India in 2008, there were umpiring controversies and belligerent conduct between players, with Harbhajan Singh initially found guilty of racially abusing Andrew Symonds, who had faced monkey chants from Indian crowds on a previous tour.
Despite these controversies, cricket has been considered "the lifeblood of the Australia-India relationship". Australian cricketers have been influenced by their Indian counterparts, and vice versa. For example, Australian cricketer Tanveer Sangha has cited Indian leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal as a major influence on his own bowling.
In addition to cricket, India has also influenced other sports in Australia. With growing Indian migration to Australia, traditional Indian games such as kabaddi and kho kho have gained a following in Australia.
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Economic ties
Australia and India have a long history of economic cooperation, with India being Australia's first major trading partner through imports from the East India Company and exports from Australia dating back to the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Since then, Australia and India have continued to strengthen their economic ties, with Australia placing India at the forefront of its international partnerships.
In 2009, the two countries agreed to a Strategic Partnership, which was upgraded to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in June 2020. Australia and India also have a free trade agreement, which has saved Australian businesses hundreds of millions of dollars and is expected to save exporters around $2 billion in tariffs annually.
India is currently Australia's seventh-largest trading partner and fifth-largest export market. Major exports to India include coal, copper, gold, and vegetables for consumer consumption, while major imports from India include refined petroleum, pearls and gems, and medicaments. The Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), which entered into force in December 2022, has further deepened their economic ties and increased trade opportunities for both countries. In the first 12 months since ECTA, exports to India (excluding coal) increased by 35%, with agriculture exports up 60% and industrial exports (excluding coal) up 30%.
The Australian government has also launched A New Roadmap for Australia's Economic Engagement with India, aiming to maximise trade opportunities, benefit businesses and consumers, secure supply chains, and create jobs. The roadmap identifies four key sectors for growth: clean energy, education and skills, agribusiness, and tourism. Additionally, there are almost 50 specific opportunities identified to accelerate engagement in areas such as defence industries, sports, culture, space, and technology.
The strong economic ties between Australia and India are further bolstered by the large Indian diaspora population in Australia, who maintain strong cultural and economic links with India. The two countries also share a history of military cooperation, having fought alongside each other in several campaigns, including World War I and World War II.
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Military cooperation
Australia and India have a long history of military cooperation, dating back to the first world war when Indian soldiers fought alongside Australian soldiers in campaigns like Gallipoli. In recent times, the two countries have developed a strong defence partnership, encompassing almost every major function of the military, including strategic dialogues, coordination, intelligence exchanges, military exercises, personnel exchanges, and defence technology cooperation.
One significant aspect of military cooperation between Australia and India is their joint military exercises. Australia has participated in the Indian Navy's biennial Exercise MILAN since 2003, which involves professional exercises, seminars, and social events, enhancing interoperability and mutual understanding between the two navies. Additionally, the two countries conduct a joint naval exercise in the Indian Ocean called AUSINDEX, with the 2019 edition focusing on anti-submarine warfare. Australia also invited India to join Exercise Talisman Sabre, its most important military exercise with the United States, marking a significant milestone in their defence relationship.
Another notable example of military cooperation is Exercise AUSTRAHIND, a joint army exercise designed to promote mutual understanding, interoperability, and the ability to operate together in multi-domain operations. Furthermore, India's participation in Exercise PITCH BLACK in Darwin in 2018 was significant, as it involved the first mid-air refuelling of an Indian combat aircraft by an Australian aircraft, showcasing an advanced level of coordination.
The Mutual Logistic Support Arrangement (MLSA), concluded in 2020, facilitates complex logistic cooperation and enables greater combined responsiveness to regional humanitarian disasters. The Defence Science and Technology Implementing Arrangement (DSTIA) also promotes interaction between defence research organisations in both countries, contributing to addressing global challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
The growing partnership between Australia and India is influenced by their shared interests in the Indo-Pacific region, including maritime security, piracy, cyber security, and maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific in the face of increasing Chinese influence and aggression. The two countries have also collaborated in other areas, such as energy security, with a focus on renewable technologies, and humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan and vaccine distribution through the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue.
While the defence relationship between Australia and India has strengthened significantly, there is a recognition that a more balanced approach is needed. The focus on naval links has outpaced the development of ties between the two countries' air forces and armies. Efforts are being made to broaden the scope of military exercises and encourage joint capabilities across all services and domains, including the integration of ground and air assets and the proposed establishment of tri-service commands.
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Migration and people-to-people links
In recent years, Australia and India have continued to build robust people-to-people links between their defence forces through regular personnel and training exchanges, such as short specialist courses and longer-term positions. For example, every year, Australia sends two officers to attend Indian military educational institutions, and India sends two officers to study in Australia. Australia and India also held their first formal bilateral naval exercise (AUSINDEX) in 2015.
In addition to military cooperation, Australia and India have strong cultural, educational, and sporting ties. In March 2023, Australia and India signed the first-ever Mechanism for the Mutual Recognition of Qualifications, facilitating access to higher education in both countries. Deakin University became the first university approved to open an international teaching campus in India, with the University of Wollongong also receiving approval to establish a campus in Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City).
Sporting ties, particularly in cricket, have also played a role in migration and people-to-people links between the two nations. Cricket scholarships have been provided to talented young Indian cricketers to train at the Australian Cricket Academy, and Test series and one-day series are held regularly between the two countries.
Australia and India have also taken steps to strengthen their economic ties, with the signing of the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (IndAus ECTA) in 2022, which has increased trade and investment between the two countries. Australia has also invested in the Australia-India Trade and Investment Accelerator Fund (TIAF) to tap into India's dynamic market and the Maitri Grants Program to foster deeper business, cultural, and people-to-people connections.
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Cultural exchange
Australia has a long history of cultural diversity, dating back to the arrival of Aboriginal Australians in the continent around 40,000–60,000 years ago. Since then, Australia has continued to be a culturally diverse society, with a steady increase in the proportion of overseas-born and second-generation migrants in the country. In recent years, India has had a significant influence on Australia's cultural landscape, becoming the second-largest migrant group in the country.
The Indian community in Australia is incredibly diverse, with people hailing from various religious, linguistic, and cultural backgrounds. This diversity is reflected in the languages spoken at home, with common languages including Punjabi, Hindi, Malayalam, Gujarati, Telugu, Tamil, Marathi, Urdu, Kannada, and Bengali. The religious diversity of the Indian-born population has also contributed to Australia's religious landscape, with the construction of Hindu and Sikh places of worship.
The growth of the Indian community in Australia has been consistent, with significant increases in the number of people born in India migrating to Australia between 2001 and 2021. As of 2023, there are over 846,000 people born in India living in Australia, with the majority gaining permanent residency through skilled migration, sponsored employment, or partner visas. Many Indians with software and programming backgrounds have been able to migrate to Australia due to the demand for their skills. Additionally, international students from India contribute significantly to the Indian community in Australia.
The vibrant and diverse cultures of India are maintained and celebrated through various organisations, events, and festivals held throughout Australia. These activities provide a support network for the Indian community, fostering a sense of connection and belonging. The cultural exchange between India and Australia has enriched both countries, contributing to a more diverse and dynamic society.
In conclusion, the cultural exchange between India and Australia has had a profound impact on both countries. The Indian community in Australia has brought with it a rich tapestry of languages, religions, and cultural traditions, contributing to the vibrant multicultural fabric of Australian society. This exchange has fostered greater understanding, tolerance, and appreciation for diverse cultures, enhancing the social, economic, and cultural landscape of Australia.
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Frequently asked questions
India and Australia have strong connections in international sports like cricket, tennis, and badminton. Cricket is one of the most popular sports in both countries, with regular Test series and one-day series occurring frequently. Scholarships are also provided to talented young Indian cricketers to train at the Australian Cricket Academy.
India and Australia have well-established diplomatic relations and share a "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership". They are both members of the Commonwealth of Nations and regional organisations like the Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation and ASEAN Regional Forum. Australia has traditionally supported India's position on Arunachal Pradesh, which is disputed between India and China.
India and Australia have strong economic ties, with India being Australia's seventh-largest trading partner and fifth-largest export market. Major exports to India include coal, copper, and gold, while major imports from India include refined petroleum, pearls, and gems. The two countries have signed agreements like the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (IndAus ECTA) to enhance bilateral economic cooperation and increase trade.
India and Australia have deep cultural and people-to-people ties. There is evidence of ancient migration of Indians to Australia around 4,000 to 5,000 years ago, and both countries have strong connections in arts, music, and film industries. The two countries have also established mechanisms for the mutual recognition of qualifications, facilitating access to higher education in both countries.
































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