Indians set to be 1/3rd of intl students in Australia

CHENNAI: Sarah Kirlew, Consul-General for south India, Australia outlined some of the new measures at the Madras School of Economics, where she launched ‘An update to an India Economic Strategy to 2035,’ a five-year action plan for the Australian government to accelerate economic integration between the two countries.

From cyber space to outer space, there were huge opportunities, she said, adding agri, health, education were among the key areas for economic co-operation. Education, in particular was a focus point, that enhanced the complementarities between the two nations. By July, 1.5 lakh students from India would head to Australia, which translates to one-third of international students there.

S Krishnan, TN Industry Secretary, who was part of a panel discussion alongside Petula Thomas, CEO, IACC, Percy Bell, Australian Treasury Minister Counsellor and Kirlew, sought to highlight the state’s diversified economy. While India’s trade with Australia had been flat for over a decade, it was on a rebound mode now.