By Neeraj Nanda
Melbourne, 8 Aug: Newly elected Prime Minister of India, Mr. Narendra Modi, is likely to visit Australia in November this year to attend the G-20 summit in Brisbane (Nov 15 & 16). The visit will come in the background of the Queensland Government’s recent environmental clearance to Adani’s Carmichael Coal Mine and Rail Project on 7 May, 2014 and India’s tough stand on the food security issue at the G-20 Sydney meeting and the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
Mr. Adani considered close to Prime Minister Modi, has received flak for his Coal project from environmental and financial experts for danger to the world heritage Great Barrier Reef and being an unviable project, is estimated to cost A$ 16.5 billion covering Greenfield construction of the mine, the railway and the coal export terminal, plus the associated water, road, airport, power and water infrastructure.
Mr. Modi will be the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Australia, after Rajiv Gandhi came here in 1986. Twenty eight years ago.
There are many issues between the two countries to be discussed including the actual modalities of Australia exporting Uranium to India, a decision taken by the Julia Gillard led Labour government.
– SAT News Service
