Premier Daniel Andrews is in India to launch 'Victoria’s India Strategy: Our Shared Future', which will set a blueprint for doubling the value of Victoria’s trade ties with India to almost $1 billion over the next decade.
During his visit to New Delhi, Premier Andrews visited Gurudwara Bangla Sahib to interact with the Sikh community and pay his respects.
He was presented ‘Baba Bhagel Singh’ memento by the Gurudwara authorities.
is the most prominent shrine of the Sikhs in the city. The Gurdwara is devoted to the eighth Guru, Shri Guru Harkishan Sahib Ji.
General Bhagel Singh built a total of nine Sikh shrines in Delhi in 1783 including Gurudwara Bangla Sahib.
The Gurdwara has evolved over the years and has become the home to a number of different important buildings including a secondary school, Baba Baghel Sing Museum, a library and a hospital.
This is Premier Andrews’s first trip to India. During this visit, he aims to boost Victorian businesses and create jobs for locals.
Premier Andrews visited Gurudwara Bangla Sahib to interact with the Sikh community and pay his respects. Source: Supplied
He is scheduled to attend the Raisina Dialogue 2018 hosted by the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
During his meeting with Minister for External Affairs in New Delhi, he is also expected to lobby against India’s decision to impose the 30 per cent tariff on chick pea and lentil imports.
With more than 209,000 Victorians of Indian ancestry, Victoria boasts the highest Indian population in Australia.
Speaking about the India strategy on the eve of his first official visit to India, Mr Andrews said, “Victoria is proudly home to more Indian people than any other Australian state, and I’m honoured to pay homage to their home country and their culture.”
India is Victoria’s fifth most lucrative offshore tourist market. In the 12 months ending September 2017, more than 135,000 people from India visited Victoria, staying a combined five million nights and spending $373 million at Victorian businesses.
There are more than 38,500 students from India enrolled at Victoria’s universities and leading education providers.
In total, the international education sector contributes more than $5 billion to the state’s economy and provides jobs for 30,000 Victorians.
