AUSTRALIA’S economic relationship with India was strengthened this week with the opening of a new office for the Australian Consulate-General in Chennai and the arrival of a 50-member business delegation to attend the 16th Joint Business Council. Trade Minister Warren Truss, who opened the new office, said its establishment symbolised the growing momentum in Australia’s trade with India. “We’ve identified a number of key sectors for development. South India is hub to India’s globally-recognised ICT industry. Other growth areas include infrastructure, services, biotechnology, food and beverage and entertainment,” he said. The JBC, being held this week, is organised by Austrade and the Australia India Business Council and coincides with a meeting between Mr Truss and Indian Minister for Commerce and Industry, Kamal Nath, being held in New Delhi. The Australian delegation, which includes a number of banking, mining, financial services and technology companies, will meet with Indian government officials and a business group co-ordinated by the Federation of Indian Commerce and Industry. Mr Truss said the JBC would give businesses the opportunity to engage with each other and seek positive outcomes.