Ind-Aus sign migration mobility partnership pact

India and Australia signed a migration and mobility partnership pact to open up opportunities for students, academic researchers, and business people, according to media reports.

This agreement aims to facilitate the mobility of students, professionals, researchers, academics, and others, particularly through a new skilled pathway called MATES (Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early Professionals Scheme) that specifically caters to India.

Prime Minister Modi emphasized that this pact would significantly strengthen trade and economic cooperation between the two countries. Furthermore, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart, Anthony Albanese, discussed further enhancements to the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership over the next decade. They deliberated on strengthening strategic cooperation in the mining and critical minerals sectors, as well as identifying areas of collaboration in renewable energy. Specifically, they are planning to establish a task force on Green Hydrogen, focusing on accelerating the manufacturing and implementation of clean hydrogen technologies such as hydrogen electrolysers, fuel cells, and associated infrastructure, while also addressing standards and regulations.

Last year, India and Australia finalized the Economic Cooperation Trade Agreement (ECTA), which came into effect in December. Both countries are actively working on establishing the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA). The following two rounds of discussions on the economic partnership agreement are scheduled for June and July. Both countries also resolved to conclude a comprehensive trade deal by the end of 2023.

Source: Economic Times