Shadow Minister for Citizenship and Multiculturalism and Shadow Assistant Minister for Communications, Michelle Rowland will be visiting India from the 28th of January to the 8th of February.

Ms Rowland said the trip is a great opportunity to meet with Indian officials and stakeholders to discuss a variety of public policy issues impacting both Australia and India and the large Indian community that live in Australia.

“I am very much looking forward to visiting the world’s largest democracy for the first time,” Ms Rowland said.

“As a Federal representative of one of the largest Indian communities in Australia I have a deep affinity with India, its people and its culture.

Ms Rowland said she would also be meeting with telecommunication companies to discuss the telecommunication networks and infrastructure.

“We are now in the Asian Century which is seeing huge growth and development in India and Australia must position itself to take advantage of this growth,” the Shadow Minister said.

“This was a key focus of the previous Labor Government, who championed the Asian Century White Paper and I want to see that work continued.

Cities Ms Rowland will be visiting include: Mumbai, Chennai, Amritsar, Delhi, Jaipur and Agra during her visit and will also be addressing the Australia India Association.

The trip will include a variety of meetings and events that will cover Government, Indian culture and religions, sport and communications.