New Delhi, Feb 9 : The India-Australia dialogue for an economic accord, which started in 2011 to boost trade and investment between the two countries, is expected to resume this year.
In an interview to VNI, Indian-origin Australian High Commissioner to India Harinder Sidhu denied that the talks about the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) were on hold.
"The Australian side has presented a stock take to India and New Delhi is examining it," Sidhu said stressing that Australia would be happy to conclude the agreement.
The Free Trade Agreement or CECA talks have missed the final deadline because of two contentious issues: Reducing tariff duties and Indian access to the service sector in Australia, she said.
Sidhu reiterated Australia's strong support and advocacy for India's inclusion in the 48-member Nuclear Suppliers' Group.
The two countries had signed, in 2014, a nuclear cooperation agreement that cleared the sale of uranium to India and Canberra had followed it up by putting in place the implementing arrangements, including a legislation and legal framework to facilitate the export.
Asked whether the supplies can start this year, Sidhu said there is no impediment to that from the Australian government's side.
She said the India-Australia relationship is based on its own terms and is not steered or impacted by changing world scenario -- be it Brexit or the change of administration in the US.
Sidhu is the second Australian High Commissioner of Indian-origin to be posted in India after Peter Varghese, whose parents had migrated from Kerala. Sidhu's parents hail from Punjab.
