The Union Minister of Coal, Mines, and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Pralhad Joshi, held discussions with a high-level delegation led by former Prime Minister and Special Trade Envoy of Australia Mr. Tony Abbott here yesterday. The delegation had called on the Shri Pralhad Joshi to discuss expanding trade and economic relationship between India and Australia especially regarding broader developments in the energy sector, including the use of Australian resources to support India’s energy needs and ambitious policy agenda. Mr. Abbott was accompanied by Mr. Barry O’Farrell AO, Australian High Commissioner, and Mr. Hugh Boylan, Economic Counsellor, Australian High Commission.
Informing the delegation about the opening of the coal sector under the present regime, the Minister highlighted the importance of coal as a major source of energy in India and the focus of the Government is giving the right fillip to further augment coal production in India. Shri Pralhad Joshi also requested the Australian delegation for collaborating with India regarding sharing of technology in areas such as surface and underground coal gasification and extraction of Coal Bed Methane (CBM) etc.
The importance of Australia as a source of critical and strategic minerals for EV manufacturing in India was also highlighted by the Hon’ble Minister.
The Secretary, Ministry of Coal, Dr. Anil Kumar Jain, Secretary, Ministry of Mines, Shri Alok Tandon, and other senior officers of both the Ministries participated in the discussion.
