PTI
 
New Delhi, Mar 7: Seeking to expand ties with New Delhi beyond the political and economic spheres, Australia on Monday announced a 25 million Australian dollar research assistance to India to foster cooperation in science and technology, including biotechnology.

The two countries would be signing an MoU to deepen research cooperation in biotechnology, visiting Australian Prime Minister John Howard said during an interaction with Indian industry captains at CII-FICCI-Assocham organised conference.

Mentioning that Australia has become a hot favourite among Indian tourists and entertainment industry, Howard said: "to facilitate this growth, I am pleased to announce that the Australian government will allow Indian citizens to access our tourist e-visa scheme." Referring to the large global increase in demand for energy like LNG and tight international resources, he said: "I am encouraged that we are working on these issues."

The establishment of the Australia-India Joint Working Group on Energy and Minerals would be an "important vehicle to address trade and investment issues in the sector, exchange information on policy developments and identify possible commercial outcomes."

"Our trade relationship is still maturing, and much more could be done to further facilitate and diversify two-way trade and investment," Howard said, adding that further relaxation of barriers that hinder free flow of goods and investment would allow markets to prosper and expand the economic complementarities between the two countries.