“While in India, I will seek to further advance our recent progress towards a free trade agreement, or what is called the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement, CECA,” he said.

It will be the first ministerial visit from Australia after it joined a new security alliance with the United Kingdom and the United States that triggered sharp reactions from France and raised apprehensions about its possible impact on the Quad.

Tehan said he and his Indian counterpart Piyush Goyal are seeking to make progress towards an ‘interim deadline’, describing India as a partner of Australia with a mutual interest in an open, inclusive and resilient Indo-Pacific.

“It’s an ambitious approach, and this meeting will be crucial, but it’s one that can be achieved if both sides are seeking a truly complementary agreement,” he said.

”We are working towards an agreement that aligns with our principles and encourages expanded trade and investment flows to the benefit of the economies and peoples of both countries,” Tehan was quoted as saying by global newswires.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)