Blitz India Global Affairs Bureau
NEW DELHI: From January 1, 2026, all Indian exports to Australia became eligible for zero-duty access under the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), now four years old.
India’s exports more than doubled, from about $4 billion in FY21 to $8.5 billion in FY25. Building on that base, the two countries resumed negotiations for a broader Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA).
Every Indian export now lands duty-free in Australia — and with a broader pact back on the table, one of India’s most promising Indo-Pacific partnerships is deepening fast.
At a Glance
• Zero duty: All Indian exports, from Jan 1, 2026
• Exports: $4 bn (FY21) → $8.5 bn (FY25)
• ECTA: 4 years done; CECA talks resumed
• Mobility: MATES — up to 3,000 places/year
On mobility, the MATES scheme offers up to 3,000 places a year for Indian graduates and early-career professionals to live and work in Australia — a practical channel for talent exchange.
The constructive opportunity is to move swiftly from ECTA’s early gains to an ambitious CECA, ensuring benefits reach a wide range of exporters.
