Victoria enjoys close relationships and growing trade ties with India and across the South Asia region in international education, food and fibre, sport, technology, and other services including tourism, supported by strong people-to-people connections.

Victoria's India Strategy

The relationship between Victoria and India has evolved and strengthened since the release of 𝘝𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘢’𝘴 𝘐𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘢 𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘨𝘺: 𝘖𝘶𝘳 𝘚𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘍𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 in 2018.

In September 2024, 𝘝𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘢’𝘴 𝘐𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘢 𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘨𝘺: 𝘖𝘶𝘳 𝘚𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘍𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 2025-30 was launched, aimed at further boosting cooperation with India across strategically important sectors and states. Our vision is to further advance the  Victoria - India relationship and to ensure we continue to share dynamic and deep connections across our economies and societies.

Learn more about Victoria's India Strategy: Our Shared Future 2025-30 and how we're strengthening our partnership with India.

Key industries of opportunity for Victorian exporters

Victoria remains an Australian destination of choice for South Asian students. India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are all in the top ten largest student markets for Victoria. India is one of the most significant student markets and Victoria welcomes the most Indian students of any Australian state.

India’s new National Education Policy is transforming the education system across all levels of education and includes a strong focus on enhancing international partnerships. Edtech is generating new opportunities to partner in innovation and provide new education solutions.

Download India's National Education Policy

India is increasingly looking for partners with expertise in water management, waste management, and technical services that support the growth of India’s economy and cities. Victorian companies are having success joining Indian partners to pursue these opportunities.

Read about the Victorian company, Rubicon and the irrigation project it's delivering in India

Victorian beauty, personal care and wellness products are well regarded in India and companies are having success through eCommerce and physical retail outlets.

In recent years, Global Victoria has supported Swisse entrance into India.

Digital games is an emerging sector for Victoria.

The digital gaming sector in India is growing at a rapid pace, with the number of people playing online games growing by 80 per cent from 360 million in 2020 to 390 million in 2021.

EY estimates that by 2023, there will be 450 million gamers in India. Global Victoria is focused on increasing the links between the Indian and Victorian gaming sectors, delivering two trade missions to gaming conferences in Melbourne and Hyderabad in 2022.

India represents a major market for Victorian wool, pulses, fruit and nuts and some packaged foods. The recently signed Australia India Economic Cooperation Agreement offers tariff reductions across a range of agricultural products which will benefit Victorian exporters.

The Indian craft beer market is the fastest-growing segment within the Indian AlcoBev market. Victoria has opportunity to position itself as a preferred supplier of ingredients, including hops and malt, and provide expertise to the rapidly growing craft brewing industry in India.

India has some of the biggest and fastest growing sports leagues in the world, including the Indian Premier League (IPL).

The success of the IPL has led to new Indian national competitions for sports such as hockey, kabaddi, soccer and tennis which attract large audiences. This increase in professional sporting leagues is driving investment in India’s sports economy and presents opportunities for all parts of the Victorian sports sector, from infrastructure and sports administration through to sports science and sports tech.

India was Victoria’s second largest tourism market by value in 2019 and is the fastest growing international visitor market to return to Victoria following the reopening of Australia’s international borders.

The return of tourists from India is mostly driven by visiting friends and relatives, education, business and sports and events travel and is supported by direct flights run by Qantas and Air India between Melbourne and New Delhi.

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