Australian Prime Minister John Howard chats with former captain of the Australian cricket team Steve Waugh at a luncheon hosted by the Bombay Chamber of Commerce in Mumbai on Tuesday.
The Australian prime minister is in India with a 20 member high-level business delegation representing leading Australian companies who all have substantial or growing commercial interests in India.
Howard also announced bringing to India a special exhibition on Sir Don Bradman, saying that the Australian government will contribute Aus $1 million in sponsorship towards the Bradman Exhibition tour of India. The exhibition will be held in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata later this year.
On Monday, Howard had announced a slew of partnerships in biotechnology and energy, and pledged a $25 million aid to India over the next five years for bilateral collaboration through the Strategic Research Fund and Exchange Scholarships.
Mentioning that Australia has become a hot favourite among Indian tourists and entertainment industry, Howard said: "To facilitate this growth, I am pleased to announce that the Australian government will allow Indian citizens to access our tourist e-visa scheme."
Photograph: Jewella C Miranda
