This follows last week’s university delegation to India, led by Education Minister Jason Clare, which saw new partnerships forged between our nations and universities.

Ms Jackson said higher education and research were central pillars of the Australia-India relationship, and universities were ready to grasp new opportunities with both hands.

“It is an honour to be representing universities on this visit to one of our major economic and strategic partners,” Ms Jackson said.

“Universities fully support the government’s focus on strengthening Australia’s ties with India – one of the fastest growing economies in the world and a very important strategic partner.

“We especially welcome education being front and centre as our governments move to strengthen the bilateral relationship.

“India is undertaking sweeping reforms of its education sector and they want our help.

“Our unis stand ready to help India achieve its goals of educating 500 million students by 2035 and look forward to closer collaboration which drives new research breakthroughs that prepare us for the future.

“Australia’s universities have welcomed almost 1.6 million Indian students to campuses across the country since 2005. There are now more Indian students studying in Australia than before the pandemic, making India our second largest and fastest growing international student market.

“Indian students make a profound cultural and economic contribution to Australia when they choose to study here.

“Pre-Covid, education contributed more than $40 billion to Australia’s economy.

“It’s in our national interest to continue strengthening our trade links, and we can do that by educating Indian students in Australia, research collaborations and through our universities having a physical presence in India.

“It’s clear we are entering a golden era in our trade relationship with India, and we must make the most of it for the social, diplomatic and economic benefit of both our nations.”