Australia’s High Commissioner to India, Barry O’ Farrell, is visiting Hyderabad for three days with the aim of strengthening ties with Telangana. He is accompanied by Consul-General for South India, Sarah Kirlew. The High Commissioner expressed his excitement about the free trade agreement between Australia and India and the growing number of Indian people in Australia. He believes there is potential to do more with Telangana in the fields of technology, education, health, and space.
During his visit, O’ Farrell met with KT Rama Rao, Minister for Information Technology, Industries, and Municipal Administration to discuss opportunities for collaboration in Telangana. The High Commissioner commended the minister on his efforts to improve India and Australia’s collaboration in technology, health, education, and water. He also expressed his satisfaction with the progress made over the last three years and the active relationship between Australia and Telangana.
On Tuesday, O’ Farrell visited the Medha-Rubicon plant in Nacharam, which is a joint venture between Rubicon Water and Medha for the manufacture of smart irrigation gates used in India and abroad. He tweeted about the visit, highlighting the successful collaboration between Australia and India. Medha-Rubicon is working in Karnataka to improve the efficiency of irrigation systems with the help of smart software, a radio communications network, and 4,300 automated irrigation gates and meters. Its water technologies are being trialed at the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project with great success and are expected to be expanded to the rest of the region.
The High Commissioner also announced an Australian Direct Aid Program (DAP) grant in support of mental health. This project will be implemented by the George Institute and will be used to improve the implementation of the district mental health programme in Telangana by sharing Australian skills and approaches. The High Commissioner also visited the newly unveiled Ambedkar statue.
