Australia on Tuesday sought direct air connectivity with India to boost tourism. Australian Tourism Minister Martin Ferguson called for this during his meeting with Tourism Minister K Chiranjeevi in New Delhi. Referring to the recent road shows organised by India Tourism in Australia, Chiranjeevi hoped that such shows will contribute to more tourist inflow from that country.

He said both the countries should explore the possibility of renewing the MoU on tourism cooperation which expired in 2008. He also suggested easing of visa norms to boost tourism.

The visiting Australian Minister also called on Petroleum and Natural Gas minister M Veerappa Moily. In the meeting, Mr Moily stressed the need for more tie-ups between oil companies of both the countries to meet Liquefied Natural Gas requirements of India