Australia aims to secure free trade with India by end of 2015

SYDNEY, Jan. 9 (Xinhua): Australia is determined to secure a free trade agreement with India by the end of 2015, Australian Trade Minister Andrew Robb said today.

Robb, who is leading a delegation of about 450 government and business representatives to India, said Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott and his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, were " hellbent" on securing a deal this year.

He said Australia could offer high-end manufacturing, construction, education and health services to India's fast- growing economy as well as traditional exports such as iron ore and coal.

However Robb said Australia would not be rushing to sign a free trade agreement with India just for the sake of a deal.

"We want to see a really meaningful agreement. We won't sign an agreement for agreement's sake." he told Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) radio on Friday, saying a high-quality free trade agreement by the end of 2015 was possible.

Robb said India had a long history of protectionism, but was confident that the establishment of mutually beneficial terms could overcome this obstacle.

He said Modi was a progressive leader and wanted to boost India 's trade.