Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk welcomes new Indian Consulate-General in Brisbane

• Premier represented Queensland at meeting with Indian Prime Minister
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi announces India will open a Consulate-General in Brisbane, building on the existing honourary consulate.
• India will play vital role in Queensland’s future

The relationship between Queensland and India has been strengthened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi announcing an Indian consulate will open in Brisbane.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has welcomed the announcement which followed a business event in Sydney, attended by the Premier at the invitation of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

The new consulate will reinforce the trade partnership between Queensland and India.

India is Queensland’s second largest trading partner with exports worth $19 billion in the 12 months to March, representing an increase of 29 per cent or $4.5 billion.

Last year, India bought more metallurgical coal from Queensland than Korea and Japan combined.

Queensland recognised the importance of India and was committed to further strengthening the Queensland–India relationship, which is highlighted by the Queensland Government Trade and Investment Strategy 2018-2023.

This strategy was successful in assisting Queensland businesses engage with India and is being refreshed to further grow the state’s presence and profile, fostering relationships, business development and investment.

In March, Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick led a Trade Delegation to India to sign a Memorandum of Understanding which will develop aerospace and defence manufacturing in Queensland.

Ten of Queensland’s universities joined the Treasurer at an Education Fair in Mumbai to develop education relationships, with more than 10,400 people from India studying in the Sunshine State.

Quotes attributable to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk:

“It was my honour to represent Queensland at last night’s very important meeting with Prime Minister Modi where I was able to promote our state’s interests.

“We have a special relationship with India which will play a vital role in our future.

“India is the fastest-growing major economy on the planet and, by 2030, it will be the world’s third largest economy.

“Trade means jobs for Queenslanders which is why it was so important I attended the meeting.

“I’m extremely pleased with Mr Modi’s announcement India will open a Consulate-General in Brisbane.

“This is something I know our Indian communities have long wanted, further cementing the closeness of our peoples.”

Further information:

• India’s economy is expected to grow by the size of Singapore’s economy each year to 2032.
• India has more 18-year-olds than the entire population of people of all ages in Australia.
• Each month, a million more people in India turn 18.
• By 2025 it will have the largest population of people of working age in the world.
• According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ 2021 Census, more than 93,600 Queenslanders reported having Indian ancestry.
• People of Indian descent represent the fastest-growing multicultural group in Australia.

Find the full announcement here. 

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