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Australia aims to secure free trade with India by end of 2015

Xinhua, January 9, 2015 Adjust font size:

Australia is determined to secure a free trade agreement with India by the end of 2015, Australian Trade Minister Andrew Robb said on Friday.

Robb, who is leading a delegation of about 450 government and business representatives to India, said Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott and his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, were " hellbent" on securing a deal this year.

He said Australia could offer high-end manufacturing, construction, education and health services to India's fast- growing economy as well as traditional exports such as iron ore and coal.

However Robb said Australia would not be rushing to sign a free trade agreement with India just for the sake of a deal.

"We want to see a really meaningful agreement. We won't sign an agreement for agreement's sake." he told Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) radio on Friday, saying a high-quality free trade agreement by the end of 2015 was possible.

Robb said India had a long history of protectionism, but was confident that the establishment of mutually beneficial terms could overcome this obstacle.

He said Modi was a progressive leader and wanted to boost India 's trade.

"I do feel if he is successful ... then we could see a repeat in India of the last 15 years of China," Robb said.

Australia's trade with India was valued at 15.2 billion Australian dollars (12.33 billion U.S. dollars) in 2013, compared with 160 billion (130 billion U.S. dollars) two-way trade with China. Endi