Bengaluru, Jan 27 (.) India has emerged as a key beneficiary of the evolving global trade environment following the disruptions caused by Trump-era tariffs, with the Australia–India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) delivering significant gains across trade, education and services, Vik Singh, Consul (Commercial) and Trade and Investment Commissioner – South Asia, Australian Trade and Investment Commission, Bengaluru, said on Tuesday.
Responding to an . query at interactive session on tariff-free access for India exporters under the India-Austalia ECTA, Singh said unilateral tariffs imposed during the Trump administration had unsettled global trade flows, increased costs and created uncertainty for importing countries, including India.
He noted that ECTA, ratified in December 2022, marked a decisive shift towards a predictable, rules-based trade framework between India and Australia.
The event was organised by Bengaluru Chamber of Industry and Commerce and hosted by K Ravi, Senior Vice President, BCIC.
Calling the agreement a “huge win”, Singh said nearly 90 per cent of Australian goods now enter India duty-free, benefiting Indian businesses and consumers alike.
He said key products gaining from tariff elimination or phased reductions include agri-commodities, seafood, grains, hides and skins, critical minerals such as zinc and iron, meat and wine. While wine tariffs will be reduced progressively over a four-year period, the broader impact has been improved affordability and supply-chain stability for Indian markets.
Highlighting education as the flagship sector of the bilateral relationship, Singh described India as a value-conscious market rather than a price-conscious one.
He said Indian parents are increasingly drawn to Australia because it offers world-class education at a comparatively affordable cost.
“The quality of education is high and the pricing is competitive. Parents are able to find opportunities for their children where they receive a world-class curriculum at a much more affordable price, which explains why Australia continues to be attractive for Indian families,” Singh said.
He said a unique feature of ECTA is that it delivered direct benefits for Indian students for the first time under an India–Australia trade agreement.
Indian students in Australia enjoy some of the most generous post-study work rights globally, allowing them to stay back for between two and six years depending on qualifications, with Indian students receiving an additional year compared to students from other countries. This, he said, is particularly significant for students pursuing STEM disciplines.
Singh said the agreement has also strengthened cooperation across priority sectors including agri-business and consumer goods, green economy initiatives such as clean energy and critical minerals, emerging technologies such as MedTech and FinTech, defence, aerospace, advanced manufacturing and investment facilitation.
He added that Australia currently has six state commissioners posted across India, each focusing on specific sectors to deepen engagement and support partnerships. Education and skills remain the largest export sector, while clean energy, agri-business, tourism and technology have been identified as key growth drivers under the India–Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership roadmap.
Singh said ECTA has helped India convert the uncertainty created by tariff-driven global trade policies into tangible economic and human-capital benefits, while ongoing negotiations under broader trade frameworks are expected to further strengthen bilateral cooperation.
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