Morrison Advocates for Closer India-Australia Economic Integration
Former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has called for a more tightly integrated economic relationship between India and Australia, particularly in the services sector, as negotiations for the proposed Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) continue. Speaking to ANI on Thursday, Morrison emphasized the need for patience in talks to secure a deal that benefits both nations.
Morrison highlighted that the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), signed during his tenure with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, laid the groundwork for expanding bilateral trade. 'ECTA, when we agreed on it some years ago between Prime Minister Modi and me, provided this opportunity. There was a basic trade agreement which was a first for Australia and India and a first in many respects,' he stated.
Focus on Services Sector and Agricultural Sensitivities
Expressing hope that the proposed CECA would extend beyond goods trade, Morrison said, 'I would like to see it get into the services trade. I think there are real sensitivities around agriculture in India, which have always been understood by Australian leaders. I would hope that the agreement can go as far and wide as it possibly can into services, and ensure that our two economies become more tightly integrated.'
He noted that stronger trade partnerships are crucial amid global economic uncertainty. 'In a world where there's a lot of friction in the global economy, you want to create trade relationships and economic partnerships where you can remove that friction because there's trust. That's what ECTA was designed to achieve,' Morrison explained.
Patience in Negotiations and Nuclear Cooperation
Morrison cautioned against rushing the CECA negotiations, stating, 'As with all trade agreements, you have to be patient, and you've got to hold out for the better, not the worst. You don't do an agreement just to tick a box; you do an agreement because it's in the national interests of both countries.'
On Australia's confirmation of arrangements for uranium exports to India for peaceful purposes under the 2015 civil nuclear cooperation agreement, Morrison noted that nuclear cooperation enjoys bipartisan support in Australia. 'It is a bipartisan position now, by both major sides of politics in Australia, to support uranium sales to India. That's not a controversial issue in Australia anymore. I'm pleased that we will be extending that partnership through what was announced today,' he said.
India's Nuclear Energy Future
Morrison welcomed India's growing emphasis on nuclear energy, remarking, 'I think what's probably more significant is the fact that India is making it very clear that nuclear is a big part of their energy future. Prime Minister Modi is leading the way in declaring a nuclear energy future for India, and that's an example for others to follow, including Australia.' He added that 'energy security is tightly linked to economic security and indeed national security.'
