Indian PM wants bigger Aussie IT spend

in brief Australian Foreign Relations Minister Stephen Smith discussed the relationship between Australia and Indian IT companies when he met with the Indian Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh.

Smith said Singh acknowledged the presence of Indian IT companies in Australia and encouraged more Australian investment in India, including deeper education, science and technology links between the two countries.

The foreign relations minister also welcomed the increase in bilateral trade between Australia and India, which has seen a 50 per cent rise over the last year, and said the pair agreed that increased links should be considered in line with trade and economic ties.

Australian organisations have been increasing relations with India, with ANZ announcing it was moving parts of its IT function to Bangalore last year (affecting 500 Australian jobs). The move brought its staff numbers in India to around 3500.

Oakton has also been increasing the number of workers in India which support its operations, while IBM is, according to the Australian Services Union, thinking about sending a large number of positions overseas to India and China.