What happened?
On 18 September 2025, at the CII Global Trade Scenario National Summit in Mumbai, Zoe Woodlee, Acting Deputy Consul General at the Australian Consulate-General, said the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) has achieved an 86 per cent utilisation rate for Indian exports since it came into effect in December 2022. The agreement has removed tariffs on over 96 per cent of Indian goods, boosting sectors like textiles, pharmaceuticals and engineering. It also gives Indian firms preferential access to Australian critical minerals such as lithium and rare earths, which are essential for renewable energy and electric vehicle manufacturing.
Why it matters to India
High utilisation of the ECTA demonstrates that Indian businesses are actively leveraging the pact to expand market access and build integrated supply chains. Preferential access to Australian resources strengthens India’s push in clean energy, batteries and EV production for global exports. Combined with India’s wider network of trade agreements, the ECTA can help position Indian industry at the centre of diversified, high-value global supply chains while deepening the economic partnership with Australia.