NSW Premier Chris Minns has arrived in India for the first overseas visit of his premiership, beginning a four-day mission focused on trade, investment, education and closer links between the state and one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies.
Minns was welcomed in New Delhi by Australia’s High Commissioner to India, Philip Green, with the Australian High Commission describing the choice of India as his first overseas destination as a reflection of the growing NSW-India relationship.
The visit runs from August 31 to September 3 and will take Minns and NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey to New Delhi and Mumbai for meetings with government and business representatives. Mookhey will later undertake a separate program in Bengaluru.
The mission comes two weeks after the NSW government launched its India Business Literacy Program, designed to help NSW companies understand and enter the Indian market. The initial program is focused on agrifood and clean energy, with exporters being offered market information, industry connections and practical assistance.
The government’s India strategy extends beyond those sectors. The delegation will explore opportunities in education, research and innovation, agrifood, clean energy, critical minerals, technology, tourism and advanced industries.
Before leaving Australia, Minns said choosing India for his first overseas trip reflected both its economic importance and the contribution of the Indian community to NSW.
“I’m proud that my first overseas visit as Premier will be to India. It reflects the importance of the relationship and the enormous contribution the Indian community makes to NSW,” Minns said.
“India is one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies and an increasingly important partner for NSW. We want more trade, more investment, more tourists and more opportunities for NSW businesses.”
The economic relationship has been expanding. Two-way merchandise trade between NSW and India was worth $6.87 billion in 2024-25. More than 28,000 Indian students are studying in NSW, while 174,000 visitors from India travelled to the state in the year to March 2026, spending about $600 million and staying 8.5 million nights.
Minns’ arrival also follows talks in Australia last week with India’s High Commissioner, Nagesh Singh. Their discussions covered trade, investment, education, innovation and people-to-people links ahead of the Premier’s departure.
The Mumbai leg of the mission will seek to build on NSW’s sister-state relationship with Maharashtra, established in 2012. The relationship has previously covered areas including vocational training, agriculture, water management and waste treatment technology.
Mookhey, who is accompanying Minns, has pointed to education as an important part of the relationship alongside trade.
“India is one of the world’s fastest-growing global economies and one of the most important to the people of New South Wales,” Mookhey said.
“Beyond a trade relationship valued in the billions of dollars, education provides a lasting and rewarding bond.”
“By building our economic, education and innovation ties, we can support more NSW exporters, attract investment and create long-term opportunities for Australian businesses and families.”
The visit gives the NSW government an opportunity to connect its recent efforts to prepare exporters for India with meetings on the ground. Under the India Business Literacy Program, businesses in agrifood and clean energy are receiving support intended to improve their understanding of commercial conditions and build relationships in the Indian market.
The program is being delivered with Asialink Business, with support from the Centre for Australia-India Relations, Austrade and Business Western Sydney.
After completing his engagements in India, Minns is scheduled to travel to Kathmandu on September 4 and 5, while Mookhey continues to Bengaluru for meetings focused on trade, investment and technology.
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