NSW Premier Chris Minns and Treasurer Daniel Mookhey have begun their official trade mission to India, unveiling new education and research initiatives while seeking greater Indian investment and stronger commercial links with New South Wales.
The four-day mission began in New Delhi on Monday, 31 August, with education, technology and research taking centre stage. The NSW Government is targeting opportunities across education, energy, critical minerals, technology and tourism.
A major focus of the first day was Western Sydney University’s new Greater Noida campus, which is expected to welcome its first students in 2027.
Western Sydney University is among the first Australian universities to establish a campus in India, creating a direct education link between Western Sydney and Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state.
The university also announced new scholarships supporting women’s advancement, business, data, innovation and sustainability, as well as a new Centre of Excellence focused on water security, digital innovation and community resilience.
Subject to regulatory approval, Western Sydney University also plans to offer a Master’s program in Sustainable Water Management from 2027, building on its existing work with Indian partners through the Australia India Water Centre.
The growing economic relationship between NSW and India is significant. In 2024-25, two-way goods trade was worth $6.87 billion. More than 28,000 Indian students studied in NSW in 2025, while 174,000 Indian visitors travelled to the state in the year to March 2026.
Premier Minns said the mission was about ensuring NSW benefited from India’s rapid economic growth.
“India is growing quickly and we want NSW businesses and workers to benefit from that growth. That’s why we’re here,” Mr Minns said.
He also highlighted the important role of the Indian diaspora in strengthening bilateral ties, noting that more than 200,000 Indian-born people call NSW home and bring valuable family, cultural and business connections with India.
For Treasurer Daniel Mookhey, the visit also carried a strong personal connection.
“As someone whose family heritage is Indian, I know first-hand the importance of the connections that unite our communities across education, business, culture and sport,” Mr Mookhey said.
He said the mission would help create new pathways for investment, trade and collaboration supporting jobs and economic growth in NSW.
The Premier and Treasurer also visited Asha in New Delhi, an organisation working across more than 100 Delhi communities to improve access to healthcare and education and support women’s empowerment, housing improvements and financial inclusion.
During the visit they met Madhu, who will travel to Sydney on a scholarship to undertake a Master of Public Health at the University of Sydney in 2027.
Western Sydney University Vice-Chancellor and President Distinguished Professor George Williams AO said the Greater Noida campus demonstrated the university’s long-term commitment to India.
He said the new scholarships would support talented students while the university’s new JalSetu Centre of Excellence would strengthen Australia-India collaboration in water security, digital innovation and community resilience.
Following two days in New Delhi, Premier Minns and Treasurer Mookhey will travel to Mumbai for meetings with government and business leaders, with a focus on attracting greater Indian investment into NSW and opening more opportunities for NSW businesses in India.
NSW Premier Chris Minns Begins India Mission with Major Education and Trade Push added by Indian newspaper Sydney on
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