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External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh on Wednesday held discussions with Australian leaders on ways to raise the level of trade between the two countries and on the World Trade Organisation regime.
Singh, who also holds the defence portfolio, arrived in Canberra on Wednesday on the second day of his week-long visit to Australia.
At his meeting with Australian Minister for Trade Mark Vaile, he urged Australia to increase exports to India, especially of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).
"India welcomes investment in insurance, business and mining fields," Singh told Vaile.
"In WTO and G-77, India's role is vital. India is important in development of a technology base and software. We have created some important linkages and partnerships in business. We are looking at attracting investments from India," Vaile said.
Singh also made a courtesy call on Foreign Minister Alexander Downer.
"Australia had reacted strongly to India's nuclear test. But in the past one year, four Australian ministers, including myself, have visited India. We are looking at India as a major strategic partner in the sub-continent and building strong relations with New Delhi," Downer said.
"This year you will see this relationship taken even further. We are two important countries in the Indian Ocean. Despite similarity in legal, political, cultural, historical and language spheres, our relationship so far has been under-explored," he said.
Earlier, Singh laid a wreath at the Australian War Memorial as a mark of respect for the fallen heroes.
Singh also held a meeting of the four mission heads in the region - R S Rathore in Australia, B K Gupta in Papua New Guinea, I S Chauhan in Fiji and S Kipgen in New Zealand.
A reception was held at Indian High Commissioner to Australia R S Rathore's residence for dignitaries, Members of the Australian Parliament and heads of Indian community associations in Canberra.
Rathore pointed out that this was the first full-fledged visit by an external affairs and defence minister to Australia. In earlier visits, they had accompanied the prime minister, he said.
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