Australia has expressed its keenness for extending its expertise, technology and other cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including urban development, energy and defence, a Government statement said on Tuesday.

Australian High Commissioner Patrick Suckling met with Minister for Urban Development, Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation and Parliamentary Affairs M. Venkaiah Naidu in New Delhi on Tuesday, according to a statement from the Urban Development Ministry.

The High Commissioner said that Australia has necessary expertise in urban design, construction of new smart cities, green and quality buildings, networked buildings, waste management and urban regeneration and would like to participate in India’s urban development initiatives.

Suckling further said that bilateral trade between the two countries can be scaled up substantially as coal, gas, uranium, nuclear energy and defence sector also hold immense prospects.

Stating that the last visit of an Indian Parliamentary delegation to Australia was in 1997, the High Commissioner emphasised the need for resumption of such visits.

Naidu said that various urban development initiatives would be firmed up soon and specific proposals from Australia would be considered appropriately.

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