Western Australia steps up pressure on India with critical minerals, targets trade

New Delhi: Western Australia is stepping up its push to deepen ties with India, with key minerals, energy transition and direct air links high on the agenda as a trade and investment mission led by Prime Minister Roger Cook visits the country this week.

The mission will travel to India and Vietnam from September 17 to 25 and will seek to expand opportunities for Western Australian businesses and institutions in both markets and support local job creation, the Western Australian government said in a statement on Monday.

The delegation will meet with senior government, business, industry and education officials in Mumbai and Delhi, as well as government and industry officials in Dong Nai, Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, Vietnam. Its agenda includes energy transformation, primary industry and international education.

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In India, the delegation will also meet with major airlines, with a priority to secure a future direct link between Perth and India. Cook will attend the opening of the University of Western Australia campus in Mumbai, making it the first Australian Group of Eight university to establish a campus in India. India was Western Australia’s largest international student market last year with more than 15,000 enrolments.

Tasks in both countries are focused on positioning Western Australia as a long-term partner for energy transformation, strengthening aviation and tourism relationships, supporting primary industries and expanding skills and education pathways.

Critical minerals

The visit comes as Western Australia, a leading global supplier of critical minerals including lithium, rare earths, nickel and cobalt, seeks to deepen its economic ties with India. India is already working with Australia to secure the supply of these minerals.

Indian companies, including state-owned firms, are also looking to acquire overseas assets. National Mineral Development Corp. Ltd (NMDC) already has a presence in Western Australia through its subsidiary Legacy Iron Ore Ltd, which has investments in the Mount Celia gold mine.

The mission comes days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while chairing the Brics summit, spoke out against the weaponization of critical minerals and technologies.

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“Weapons of technology and critical minerals can hinder our collective progress. That is why we have emphasized inclusivity in technology adoption,” PM Modi said in his opening address during the 18th session of the Brics Summit: Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability: Shaping the Future for Inclusive Global Growth.

China’s rare earth export restrictions imposed in April last year, though later eased, have severely disrupted global supply chains, including India’s auto industry. Critical minerals are used in key sectors including energy transformation, communications, defense and pharmaceuticals.

India’s total trade with Australia was $21.09 billion in 2025-26, with India’s imports from Australia at $13.81 billion, according to data from the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Outside of mining

Western Australia also sees its geographic location between Southeast Asia and the edge of the Indian Ocean as offering trade and investment opportunities.

“At the core of our job creation efforts is strengthening our trade and investment relationships with countries in our time zone and with countries around the Indian Ocean rim. India and Vietnam are Western Australia’s two largest trading partners and this mission is an important opportunity to strengthen those relationships and help create jobs and business opportunities for Western Australians,” Cook said in a Western Australian government press release.

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He said there was no substitute for business and government meeting face-to-face, describing the visit as an opportunity to demonstrate Western Australia’s commitment to the two markets.

“Both economies are growing rapidly and there is real potential to expand what we do together in mining, energy, defence, agriculture, education and tourism. Providing the infrastructure to connect to these markets is essential, which is why my Government is building Westport and supporting the expansion of Perth Airport,” Cook added.