Damon Mcknight
Australia and India have a close partnership, with almost one million Australians tracing their heritage to India. The two countries have a long history of trade relations, with India being Australia's first major trading partner, and exports between the two countries dating back to the 18th century. Australia and India are also both members of the Commonwealth of Nations and founding members of the United Nations. In addition, they share a tectonic plate, the Indo-Australian Plate, which was formed approximately 43 million years ago. However, recent studies indicate that the two plates have been distinct for at least 3 million years.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is Australia a part of India? | No, Australia and India are two separate countries with distinct economies and political relations. |
| Are they located on the same tectonic plate? | Yes, both countries are located on the Indo-Australian plate. However, the two plates are moving in almost the exact same direction and speed, and studies indicate that the Indian and Australian plates have been distinct for at least 3 million years. |
| Relationship between the two countries | Australia and India have a close partnership with annual leader-level summits. Both countries also have a history of trade relations, with India being Australia's first major trading partner. In 2023, India was Australia's fourth-largest export market and fifth-largest trading partner, with two-way trade reaching $49 billion. |
| Migration | There is a significant Indian-Australian community in Australia, with almost one million Australians tracing their heritage to India. India is also a source of skilled migration to Australia, and it is a popular destination for Indian international students. |
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What You'll Learn
Australia and India share the Indo-Australian tectonic plate
Australia and India do not form a single nation, but they do share a tectonic plate. The Indo-Australian Plate is one of the seven major tectonic plates on Earth. It is the sixth-largest tectonic plate boundary, encompassing a vast region that includes the Indian subcontinent, Australia, and parts of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. The plate includes the majority of the Indian Ocean and the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand.
The Indo-Australian Plate was formed by the fusion of the Indian and Australian plates approximately 43 million years ago. This fusion occurred when the mid-ocean ridge in the Indian Ocean, which separated the two plates, stopped spreading. The plate is characterised by its complex tectonic interactions, including the ongoing collision between the Indian Plate and the Eurasian Plate, which has resulted in the formation of the Himalayan mountain range.
The Indo-Australian Plate is in the process of separating into two or three plates, and it may already be separated into multiple plates. Recent studies and evidence from seismic events, such as the 2012 Indian Ocean earthquakes, suggest that the plate has broken up primarily due to stresses induced by the collision with the Eurasian Plate, which formed the Himalayas. The Indian and Australian plates are moving at different speeds and in different directions, with the eastern part of the Australian plate moving northward at a faster rate than the western part of the Indian plate due to the impediment of the Himalayas.
Australia and India have a long-standing relationship, with India being Australia's first major trading partner through the East India Company. Exports between the two countries date back to the 18th and 19th centuries, and bilateral trade has grown significantly in recent years. Australia and India are also members of the Commonwealth of Nations and the United Nations, and they continue to progress their diplomatic and economic relationships through initiatives such as the Colombo Plan and the opening of new consulates.
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Australia has a large community of Indian heritage
Australia and India have a long history of cultural exchange and trade. India was Australia's first major trading partner, with exports from Australia to India dating back to the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Coal from Sydney and horses from New South Wales were among the earliest exports to India.
The two countries also have a history of migration between them. Indians are one of the largest groups within the Indian diaspora, with 783,958 people declaring Indian ancestry in the 2021 census, representing 3.1% of the Australian population. Indians are the fastest-growing community in Australia, both in absolute numbers and percentages. In 2019, the Australian Bureau of Statistics estimated that 721,050 Australian residents were born in India.
The history of Indian migration to Australia dates back to the 18th century, with Indian soldiers and sailors aboard visiting European ships, and continued into the 19th century with migrant labourers. Indians also participated in the Victorian gold rush and worked on banana plantations in Southern Queensland. By the beginning of the 20th century, there were around 6500-7000 Indians in Australia. After World War II and India's independence in 1947, a large number of Anglo-Indians migrated to Australia. In the 1950s and 1960s, many Indian students were sponsored to study in Australia as part of the Colombo Plan. The easing of restrictions in the late 1960s led to an increase in non-European Indian migration, particularly professionals. Large numbers of Indian software professionals began arriving in Australia from the 1980s.
Today, India continues to be a significant source of skilled migrants to Australia. In 2017-18, India was the largest source of new permanent annual migrants to Australia. Indians are also the highest-educated migrant group, with 54.6% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, more than three times Australia's national average. Additionally, Australia is the second most popular destination for Indian university students, with nearly 60,000 Indians on student visas in 2017.
The cultural exchange between the two countries is evident in the presence of Indian language programmes on radio, Indian language schools, and Indian dance schools in all major Australian cities. Hindi and Punjabi are among the top 10 languages spoken in Australia. Indian religions, including Buddhism, Hinduism, and Sikhism, are also practised in Australia.
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India is Australia's largest source of skilled migrants
India and Australia are on separate continents but share a tectonic plate known as the Indo-Australian plate. This plate was formed around 43 million years ago by the fusion of the Indian and Australian plates. However, studies indicate that the two plates have been distinct for at least 3 million years.
Australia and India have a strong historical relationship. India was Australia's first major trading partner, with exports from Australia to India dating back to the late 18th and early 19th centuries. In 1941, India established a Trade Office in Sydney, Australia, and the two nations are members of several regional organisations, including the Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation and ASEAN Regional Forum.
In recent years, India has become Australia's largest source of permanent migrants, with 25,509 Indian migrants recorded in 2023-24. This surpasses China and the United Kingdom, which were previously the top sources of migration to Australia. Skilled migration accounts for a significant proportion of Australia's total migration program, and India is the largest source of skilled migrants to the country. These skilled migrants are often professionals and highly educated, contributing to the Australian economy from the start.
The strong relationship between the two countries is further emphasised by the large number of Indian students choosing to pursue their education in Australia. In 2017, nearly 60,000 Indians were on student visas in Australia, making it the second most popular destination for Indian university students. The ease of restrictions in the late 1960s also saw an increase in non-European Indians migrating to Australia, particularly professionals.
The migration of skilled Indians to Australia is viewed positively by both countries. Sheba Nandkeolyar, National Chair of the Australia India Business Council, highlighted the benefits of skilled Indian migrants, stating that they "hit the ground running" and contribute to the Australian economy from the beginning. Australian Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Mr Chris Bowen MP, also acknowledged the valuable contributions of the Indian community to Australia's economic, social, and cultural life.
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Australia and India have a close partnership with annual leader-level summits
Australia and India have a long history of diplomatic relations, with the Consulate-General of India first opening as a Trade Office in Sydney in 1941. The two countries have enjoyed strong and growing strategic, economic, and community ties ever since. In June 2020, the relationship was upgraded to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The two nations hold annual leader-level summits to further strengthen their bilateral ties. The 2nd India-Australia Annual Summit was held on November 19, 2024, on the sidelines of the Group of 20 (G20) Summit in Rio de Janeiro. The summit was attended by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, and the Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese.
The summit focused on a range of important sectors, including climate change and renewable energy, trade and investment, defence and security, education and research, skills, mobility, science and technology, regional and multilateral cooperation, community and cultural links, and people-to-people ties. The two prime ministers also emphasised the importance of combating terrorism and violent extremism, bolstering cooperation in the Financial Action Task Force, and exploring initiatives to tackle terrorism financing.
The leaders also welcomed the growing space partnership between the two countries and the extension of the Australia-India Business Exchange (AIBX) programme for another four years from July 2024. They also acknowledged the complementarity and collaborative potential of the 'Make in India' and 'Future Made in Australia' initiatives, which could help create new jobs and unlock economic growth.
The annual summits play a crucial role in enhancing the close partnership between Australia and India, with both nations committed to working together for mutual benefit and the prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region.
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Australia and India have a strong trade relationship
Australia and India have a long history of trade relations, with India being Australia's first major trading partner through the East India Company. Exports from Australia to India date back to the 18th and 19th centuries, when coal from Sydney and horses from New South Wales were exported to India. In 1941, India established a Trade Office in Sydney, Australia, and the two countries have maintained diplomatic relations since.
Over the years, bilateral trade between Australia and India has grown significantly. In 2016, two-way trade between the countries totalled A$21.9 billion, up from A$4.3 billion in 2003. As of 2023, India is Australia's fifth-largest trading partner, with two-way trade valued at $49.1 billion. The Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), which came into force in December 2022, has further strengthened the trade relationship between the two countries. Under the ECTA, over 85% of Australian goods exports to India are tariff-free, and 96% of imports from India are tariff-free, with plans to increase these figures by 2026.
The Albanese Government in Australia has recognised the potential for further growth and has launched a New Roadmap for Australia's Economic Engagement with India. The Roadmap aims to maximise trade opportunities, boost two-way investment, and create jobs. It identifies key sectors for growth, including clean energy, education, agribusiness, and tourism. Additionally, the Australian government has invested $16 million in the Australia-India Trade and Investment Accelerator Fund to help Australian businesses explore new opportunities in India.
The strong trade relationship between Australia and India is further evidenced by the high number of Indian students studying in Australia. In 2017, Australia was the second most popular destination for Indian university students, with nearly 60,000 Indians on student visas. This exchange of students and professionals contributes to the strong cultural and economic ties between the two countries.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Australia is not a part of India. Australia is a country in itself and is approximately 7,741,220 sq km, while India is approximately 3,287,263 sq km, making India 42.46% the size of Australia.
Yes, both countries share a tectonic plate, the Indo-Australian plate, which was formed around 43 million years ago. However, the two plates have been distinct for at least 3 million years.
Yes, India and Australia have a diplomatic relationship. India has a High Commission in New Delhi, India, and Consulates in Mumbai and Chennai, while Australia has a High Commissioner in the Indian High Commission in Canberra and Consulate Generals in Sydney, Perth, and Melbourne.
Yes, in 2011-2012, Indians were the largest source of permanent migration to Australia. Australia is also the second most popular destination for Indian university students, with nearly 60,000 Indians on student visas in 2017.
