Que: Could you share an overview of Australia's participation at this event and what the focus is this year?

Ans: Yes, we have a large Australian delegation here again. This is the second year running where we've had the largest country pavilion and certainly the largest delegation from a single country, which has been fantastic. We have 22 companies with 33 delegates in the delegation this year, which reflects a strong commitment not just to the India Energy Storage Week but also to the India–Australia clean energy sector overall.

In terms of focus, we approach this from a broad spectrum across the clean energy space. We have solutions ranging from hydrogen production and battery manufacturing, aligning with the storage component of India Energy Storage Week, through to AI solutions for peak load processing and demand consolidation, which help decarbonise production chains. So, there is a broad spectrum across our delegation, with no single focus beyond clean energy.

Que: How many Australian companies are participating this year, and what clean technologies and products are being showcased?

Ans: Yes, 22 companies are participating. In terms of the technologies they're showcasing, we have everything from electrolysers for hydrogen production to thermal solutions for storage, battery manufacturing, and AI technologies. These include tools for mapping energy demand and identifying transmission challenges, as well as geospatial solutions for locating critical reserves.

We also have companies involved in chemical innovation and industries focused on critical minerals. It's a broad spectrum of technologies and niche capabilities.

Que: How is Australia leveraging innovation and R&D to lead in areas like energy storage and critical minerals?

Ans: First of all, I'd point out that Australia has a world-class education system. We are, I believe, the third-ranking country in terms of the number of universities in the global top 100. We have a thriving education and R&D sector, which supports both innovation and skills development.

We use our strong education system as a foundation for R&D-driven innovation, particularly in sectors we are passionate about, clean energy and the net-zero agenda being prime examples. Australia aims to become a global green energy superpower. One of our key initiatives is the Future Made in Australia plan, a AUD 22 billion commitment toward net zero and decarbonisation.

Our goal is to combine our education and R&D strengths with national ambition in the green economy. That’s how we are leveraging innovation in areas like energy storage and critical minerals.

Que: How do you view the synergy between Australia's technological expertise and India's scale and energy demand?

Ans: First of all, the delegation we brought here demonstrates our continued commitment to India’s energy journey. India’s net-zero story is not just important to India, but also to the broader region and the world. India is the fastest-growing large nation on Earth and the fifth-largest economy.

We anticipate, and our analysis supports this, that India will become the third-largest economy by 2030, if not sooner. With that comes increasing energy demand. It's critical to meet that demand with clean energy, and that's where Australian companies can help—with niche capabilities, advanced technologies, and access to resources like critical minerals.

Australia holds the world’s largest reserves of lithium, for example. We also bring deep expertise in sustainable mining, which is essential in supporting India’s transition to clean energy.

Que: How has the Australia–India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement influenced trade ties in clean energy?

Ans: There are three main pillars I’d like to highlight.

First, we have the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, now in its fifth year. We’ve just celebrated this milestone, and it has significantly strengthened our trade and investment relationship.

Second is the Australia–India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AIECTA) itself. This agreement has not only raised the profile of the trade relationship but also resulted in lower or zero tariffs on over 70 percent of goods and services. This has made green energy cooperation more cost-effective.

Third, there's the India–Australia Economic Roadmap announced by Prime Minister Albanese earlier this year. It identifies four superhighways of growth—tourism, agribusiness, education and skills, and clean energy. The emphasis on the green economy is a key strategic focus for both countries.

Que: Could you highlight some key achievements or milestones that this partnership has seen over the years?

Ans: A major milestone is that AIECTA has helped save over AUD 2 billion in tariffs to date. That alone is a fantastic achievement and a strong testament to the growing two-way trade between Australia and India.

Beyond that, we've seen a renewed focus and energy in our bilateral relationship. For example:
• The India–Australia Renewable Energy Partnership
• The Critical Minerals Partnership announced by Prime Ministers Modi and Albanese
• Deeper collaboration in research and development, including Australia's role in supporting India's Gaganyaan space mission

These initiatives span across multiple sectors—agribusiness, education, skills, and space exploration. So while AIECTA itself is a key driver, it's also created momentum for a wider set of strategic initiatives that enhance bilateral cooperation.

Que: How do you envision the future of India–Australia cooperation over the coming years?

Ans: Looking ahead, particularly in the green energy sector, we see several high-priority areas.

India has a massive and growing energy demand, up to 5 GW of additional power capacity by 2030, and a target of 10 million solar rooftops by 2027. These are two areas where Australia is keenly focused.

India already has about 1.4 million rooftop solar installations, with another 4 million in development. That still leaves a significant gap. Australia is excited to contribute to that growth story with technology, expertise, and resources.
From an energy perspective, our companies are already supporting India with solutions for transmission infrastructure, batteries, solar systems, and other renewable energy technologies.

In parallel, as India’s economy expands, there will be growing demand for infrastructure, and by extension, for steel. We hope this becomes a green steel story. Australia can support the supply chain for green steel, including hydrogen and magnetite, and we are actively exploring these opportunities for collaboration over the next five years.