India and Australia agreed to expand cooperation in Security and Defence including fight against terrorism. They also agreed to begin negotiations for an agreement on Civil Nuclear Energy Cooperation which will precede actual cooperation. Both the countries also signed four Agreements in the field of space science technology and education, cooperation in student mobility and welfare, skill development and textiles. Addressing a Joint Press Conference with the visiting Prime Minister of Australia Julia Gillard in New Delhi on Wednesday evening, the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh said that both the countries have also agreed to launch a Ministerial -level dialogue on Energy Security, establish a Water Technology Partnership and start negotiations for an agreement on transfer of sentenced persons.

Appreciating the initiative of the Australian Prime Minister for a new policy on uranium sales to India, Dr. Singh said that this is recognition of India’s energy need as well as the proven record and credentials of the country on nuclear issue.

The visiting Prime Minister of Australia Julia Gillard said that both the countries will work out bilateral civil nuclear agreement in future besides working on security dialogue and water management.

Talking about India-Australia bilateral trade and investment, the Prime Minister said that there is great potential to further strengthen it. He said, showing a robust growth, the bilateral trade in goods was 17.4 billion US Dollars in 2011-12, while India’s investments in Australia are at almost 11 billion US Dollars. He informed that both the countries are working towards a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, which will further facilitate trade and investment and make them more balanced and sustainable.

Expressing happiness over the steps taken by the Australian Government to address the issues affecting Indians and Indian students in Australia, the Prime Minister said that India is establishing ICCR Chairs of Indian Studies at five Australian Universities.