Western Australia steps up India push with critical minerals, trade in focus

The mission will travel to India and Vietnam from 17-25 September, seeking to expand opportunities for Western Australian businesses and institutions in both markets and support local job creation, according to a statement from the Western Australian government on Monday. The delegation will meet.

Its agenda includes energy transition, primary industries and international education. In India, the delegation will also meet major airlines, with securing a future direct connection between Perth and India a priority.

What Happened

Cook will attend the opening of the University of Western Australia’s Mumbai campus, making it the first Australian Group of Eight university to establish a campus in India. Engagements across the two countries are aimed at positioning Western Australia as a long-term.

• India was Western Australia’s largest international student market last year, with more than 15,000 enrolments.

• India’s total trade with Australia stood at $21.09 billion in 2025-26, with Indian imports from Australia at $13.81 billion, according to data from the Union ministry of commerce and industry.

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Key Details

The visit comes as Western Australia, a leading global supplier of critical minerals including lithium, rare earths, nickel and cobalt, seeks to deepen its economic ties with India. India is already working with Australia to secure supplies of these minerals.

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• Both economies are growing quickly, and there is real potential to expand what we do together across mining, energy, defence, agriculture, education and tourism.

• He said there was no substitute for meeting businesses and governments face-to-face, describing the visit as an opportunity to demonstrate Western Australia’s commitment to the two markets.

Why It Matters

Indian companies, including state-owned firms, are also looking to acquire overseas assets. Ltd (NMDC) is already present in Western Australia through its subsidiary Legacy Iron Ore Ltd, which has investments in a gold mine in Mount Celia.

• Central to our effort to creating jobs is bolstering our trade and investment relationships with the countries in our timezone, and those around the Indian Ocean Rim.

• Western Australia also sees its geographic position between Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean Rim as offering trade and investment opportunities.

What Reports Say

Coverage of the story so far points to:

• Continued reporting by Livemint as more details emerge