Trade ties: India, Australia review CECA talks; reaffirm push for early deal to boost economic partnership

India and Australia have reaffirmed their commitment to conclude the second phase of their Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) at the earliest, as Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal held talks with his Australian counterpart Don Farrell to review the progress of negotiations, PTI reported.According to an official statement, both sides agreed to work “constructively towards the early conclusion of a balanced and mutually beneficial CECA.”The meeting reviewed the progress made under ongoing negotiations and discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral trade and investment linkages. The ministers also explored avenues to expand cooperation across goods, services, and emerging sectors.The first phase of the trade pact — the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) — came into effect in December 2022, marking a key milestone in the two countries’ economic engagement.India’s bilateral merchandise trade with Australia stood at $24.1 billion in 2024–25, with exports growing 14% in 2023–24 and a further 8% in 2024–25, the statement said.Both sides expressed confidence that the early conclusion of CECA would unlock new opportunities for businesses and contribute to deeper strategic and economic ties between the two Indo-Pacific partners.