Indian police have arrested a man in New Delhi in connection with the death of 24-year-old Toyah Cordingley in far north Queensland more than four years ago.
The pharmacy worker and animal shelter volunteer was found dead on Wangetti Beach, north of Cairns, after taking her dog for a walk on October 21, 2018.
Rajwinder Singh's arrest follows an extradition request by Australia in 2021 and a $1 million reward offered by Queensland authorities earlier this month.
It is believed he was avoiding apprehension in the Punjab region since travelling to India in October 2018, Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll said on Friday.
Singh, a former Innisfail nurse, is expected to face court in India "very shortly" and Ms Carroll is hopeful of a smooth extradition process to Australia.
"The relationship working with the local Indian police on this has been exceptional, we've worked with them and the Australian Federal Police for an extended period of time," she said.
"It has been ... one of the most intense, comprehensive, across the world investigations over many years now."
It is unclear if the reward will be collected.
Ms Cordingley's death had shocked and outraged people in Queensland, Ms Carroll said.
"She was a beautiful, much loved person, just innocently going about her day," she said.
"I am so pleased we can now make further progress in bringing closure to her family. It was never a question of if, only when this day would come."
The matter is a high priority for the Australian government, Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus said on Friday.
"Australian agencies continue to work closely with Indian authorities to pursue Mr Singh's extradition to Australia, to enable him to face justice," he said.
