Western Australia’s relationship with India is entering an important new phase.
As the Australia India Business Council (AIBC) celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2026, the milestone provides an opportunity not only to reflect on four decades of relationship-building, but to consider what the next chapter could mean for Western Australian businesses.
India is now Australia’s fifth-largest trading partner, with two-way trade in goods and services valued at $54.4 billion in 2024–25. Its scale, growing economy and demand for expertise and resources present opportunities across education, agriculture, energy, resources, healthcare, infrastructure, financial services, science and innovation.
For Western Australia, many of these opportunities align strongly with the state’s capabilities.
A relationship moving from potential to partnership
The economic relationship between Australia and India has changed significantly in recent years.
The Australia–India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), which came into force in December 2022, has improved market access and reduced tariffs. More than 85 per cent of Australian goods exports by value to India became tariff-free when the agreement commenced, with further reductions occurring through its implementation.
Australia and India are also progressing negotiations towards a broader Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement.
For WA businesses, this evolving relationship creates opportunities in areas where the state already has considerable expertise, including resources and critical minerals, energy, technology, education and skills, agribusiness, healthcare and professional services.
Critical minerals are one example. India has growing demand for critical minerals and resources, while Australia has significant reserves, expertise and development-ready projects. DFAT describes the two countries as having a natural partnership based on shared economic and strategic priorities in this sector.
Yet trade agreements alone do not create successful business partnerships.
They require relationships, trust, market understanding and connections between the people and organisations capable of turning opportunity into commercial outcomes.
Forty years of building connections
Since its establishment in 1986, AIBC has worked to strengthen commercial relationships between Australia and India by connecting businesses, governments, institutions and communities.
Its 40th anniversary comes at a time when those connections have arguably never been more relevant.
Across Australia during 2026, AIBC is marking the anniversary through a national program of business events and bilateral engagement, bringing together leaders from government, industry and the Australia–India business community.
Western Australia will mark this milestone on Friday, 23 October 2026, when the AIBC WA Chapter hosts its Annual Australia–India Business Address and 40th Year Celebration at the Duxton Hotel in Perth. The program includes a keynote address by Consul General of India Kajari Biswas and a featured success story from Yaz Mubarakai MLA.
The occasion will recognise the businesses, leaders and communities that have contributed to the relationship, while importantly creating a forum for conversations about what comes next.
The next 40 years
The future of the WA–India relationship will be determined not simply by the volume of trade between the two countries, but by the quality of partnerships created between them.
For Western Australian businesses, India represents more than a large market. It offers opportunities for collaboration, innovation, investment and knowledge exchange.
Likewise, WA can offer India capabilities and expertise across sectors that will be important to its continued economic development.
AIBC’s role is to help bring those opportunities and people together.
Forty years is a significant milestone, but it is also a starting point.
As Western Australia and India look towards the future, the opportunity is to transform strong relationships into enduring partnerships — and shared ambition into sustainable economic growth.
The next chapter of the Australia–India business relationship is being written now, and Western Australia has an important role to play in it.
As AIBC celebrates 40 years, Western Australia and India are entering a new era of opportunity across trade, investment and innovation. The next chapter will be built on stronger business connections and enduring partnerships.
