New Delhi: Australia's Trade and Investment Minister Andrew Robb met Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N.Chandrababu Naidu today to discuss emerging new opportunities to boost trade and collaboration.

Australia's High Commissioner to India, Patrick Suckling, said the relationship between Australia and Andhra Pradesh has been growing rapidly, and there is a great opportunity to deepen ties further.

"Andhra Pradesh is one of the most forward-looking states in India, and has shown that it is open for business," Mr Suckling said.

He further stated, "Australia has a keen interest in working more closely with Andhra Pradesh to expand ties and explore new opportunities for strengthening our economic relationship."

Robb and Naidu discussed potential collaboration between Australia and Andhra Pradesh in a number of key areas of Australian expertise, including mining, infrastructure, dairy, water, education and road safety.

Naidu also met with Australia's Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Jamie Briggs and Australia's Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Richard Colbeck. They discussed opportunities in several sectors, including diary, sustainable fisheries, water basin management and infrastructure.

Oil and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu with Australian Trade and Investment Minister Andrew Robb at the Indo-Australian Summit in New Delhi on Monday.

Sean Kelly, Australia's Consul-General to South India, said discussions also focused on how Australia can assist Andhra Pradesh as it develops its new capital city at Vijayawada.

"Australia has strong expertise in the areas of urban development, energy and infrastructure, and we look forward to sharing this expertise with Andhra Pradesh as it develops its new capital city," Kelly said.

Robb is visiting India to lead the Australian Government's "Australia Business Week in India." More than 450 delegates from Australian companies and institutions are meeting with their Indian counterparts to promote Australia-India relations in trade, investment, education and tourism.

Chief Minister Naidu and a delegation of senior Andhra Pradesh government personnel are also participating in Australia Business Week in India and Chief Minister Naidu gave a keynote speech at the India-Australia Business Summit.