India-Australia ECTA Strengthens Trade Ties

04 Apr 2025 CW Team

The India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) marks its third anniversary, solidifying economic ties between both nations. Since its signing on April 2, 2022, the agreement has significantly boosted trade, industry, and employment.

In FY 2023-24, total bilateral trade reached USD 24 billion, reflecting a 11 per cent growth in India's exports to Australia. The positive momentum continues, with exports rising 4.1 per cent from April 2024 to February 2025 compared to the previous fiscal period.

The ECTA has expanded trade across multiple sectors, including textiles, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and agriculture. New export categories such as Calcined Petroleum Coke, Diesel Generators, and Air Liquefaction Machinery highlight emerging trade opportunities. Additionally, electronics and engineering sectors present promising export potential for further growth.

On the import side, key raw materials like metalliferous ores, cotton, and wood products have helped strengthen India’s industrial base, reinforcing the mutually beneficial trade relationship.

As the ECTA enters its fourth year, India and Australia reaffirm their commitment to deepening economic collaboration, fostering industrial innovation, and driving global trade resilience.

Infrastructure Transport

07 Apr 2026

Tunnelling Begins for Thane–Borivali twin tunnel project

Tunnelling work has commenced for the 11.84-km Thane–Borivali Twin Tunnel, set to be India’s longest urban road tunnel, marking a key milestone in Mumbai’s infrastructure development.As per a post shared by Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority on social media platform X, the tunnel boring machine (TBM) ‘Nayak’—the country’s largest single-shield hard rock TBM for an urban tunnel—was launched by Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday. The event was attended by Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar, among other dignitaries. A second TBM, ‘Arjuna’, is expected to be launched so..

Large Format Store Planned At M G Road Metro Station

M G Road station in Bengaluru is set to host the city’s first large-format commercial and experience space, with planning led by Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited. BMRCL has invited proposals to develop and operate a central business district destination at the Purple?Pink Line interchange. The plan positions the station as a commercial hub designed to serve a broad commuter base across the city. The proposal is part of a broader effort to activate transit nodes commercially. Tender documents set a minimum monthly rental of Rs 0.944 million (mn), inclusive of GST, for the large-format..

Government Cancels Auction Of Eleven Critical Mineral Blocks

The government has cancelled the auction of 11 critical and strategic mineral blocks after receiving a poor investor response and failing to attract a sufficient number of qualified bidders. The decision represents a setback to plans to ramp up domestic exploration and production of critical minerals amid global supply chain disruptions and rising demand for materials used in clean energy and advanced technologies. The mines ministry issued an annulment notice setting out the reasons for the cancellations. The annulment notice indicated that the auction process for five mineral blocks was canc..