NSW Premier Chris Minns and Treasurer Daniel Mookhey will travel to India later this month, leading a high-level mission aimed at strengthening trade, investment, education and cultural ties between New South Wales and India.
The official delegation will visit New Delhi and Mumbai from 31 August to 3 September 2026. The visit will be Mr Minns’ first overseas mission since becoming Premier, reflecting India’s growing importance to NSW and the significant contribution of the state’s Indian community.
The Premier announced the mission during celebrations marking India’s 80th Independence Day at the International Convention Centre Sydney in Darling Harbour.
The four-day program will include meetings with senior government and business leaders, along with community and cultural events designed to deepen the relationship between NSW and India.
India is already one of NSW’s most important international trading partners. Two-way goods trade between NSW and India reached $6.87 billion during 2024–25, with India identified as a priority market for future growth.
The mission will focus on sectors where NSW has strong expertise and competitive advantages, including education, research and innovation, agrifood, clean energy, critical minerals, technology, tourism and advanced industries.
The NSW Government expects the visit to create new opportunities for local exporters, attract Indian investment and support jobs and long-term economic growth across the state.
The relationship between India and NSW extends well beyond trade. In the year ending March 2026, approximately 174,000 visitors from India travelled to NSW. They spent around $600 million and stayed a combined 8.5 million nights.
India is also one of the state’s largest international education markets, with more than 28,000 Indian students currently studying in NSW. The mission will seek to expand cooperation between universities, research institutions, businesses and government agencies in both countries.
The visit will build on NSW’s sister-state relationship with Maharashtra, one of India’s largest economic centres and home to Mumbai. Treasurer Daniel Mookhey will also undertake a separate program in Bengaluru, focusing on trade, investment, technology and innovation.
Following the India mission, Premier Minns will travel to Kathmandu from 4 to 5 September to strengthen government and community ties between NSW and Nepal.
Deputy Premier Prue Car will serve as Acting Premier while Mr Minns is overseas.
Premier Chris Minns acknowledged the contribution of Indian Australians to the state’s economy, culture and wider community.
“NSW is one of the most successful multicultural societies anywhere in the world, and our Indian community is a big part of that success,” Mr Minns said. People have come to NSW from India, worked hard, built businesses, raised families and contributed to communities right across our state. 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. 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.”
Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said the relationship offered significant opportunities for NSW businesses and families. “India is one of the world’s fastest-growing global economies and one of the most important to the people of New South Wales,” Mr 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 mission comes as NSW’s Indian-origin population continues to grow, strengthening the personal, cultural and commercial connections between the state and India.
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