Trade Minister Dan Tehan has compared Australia trying to secure a free trade agreement with India to the fictional sport of Quidditch, as an agreement between the two nations was delayed once again.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison met with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on Monday night at a virtual summit where the two leaders discussed closer trade ties and cooperation in sectors such as critical minerals and education.
While Australia committed to a landmark investment package with India worth $280 million, a free trade deal was not signed.
Such a deal between the two countries has been discussed for several years but has not been formally agreed to.
Speaking at the Australia India Institute on Tuesday, Mr Tehan said trying to secure the interim deal was much like the sport of Quidditch from the Harry Potter franchise.
"The free trade agreement is like that elusive golden snitch we are trying to get hold of, and every time we think we are there, it just ducks away," he said.
The trade minister said he was confident such a deal on an interim agreement was very close, despite previously predicting it would be finalised early this week.
He said a free trade deal would send a "global signal", should the agreement be signed.
"The rest of the world will stand up and take note," Mr Tehan said.
Labor has lambasted the government for further delays to a free trade deal, with opposition trade spokeswoman Madeleine King accusing the government of laziness.
"In September 2021, Trade Minister Dan Tehan gave himself a deadline of Christmas last year for an 'early harvest' interim trade deal, to lock in some benefits for both countries sooner rather than later," she said on Tuesday.
"(The) leaders' meeting was an opportunity to finally ink that deal before the election, albeit three months late. Yet the interim deal was not signed."
Mr Tehan also launched an update to the Australia-India Economic Strategy to 2035 on Tuesday.
As part of the update, he announced $16.6 million to strengthen linkages with India's key policy and finance institutions and $8.9 million to support enhanced business engagement and an increased Austrade presence in India.
"The government remains committed to the India Economic Strategy and its ambitious goals: to lift India into our top three export markets by 2035, and to make India the third-largest destination in Asia for outward Australian investment," Mr Tehan said.
The $280 million investment deal between India and Australia, announced following Mr Morrison's meeting with Mr Modi, includes sharing of renewable energy technology, defence and space cooperation and a new Centre for Australia-India Relations.
Mr Morrison said cooperation on science, technology, energy, critical minerals and rare earth minerals would unlock new opportunities for the economies of both nations.
"We've made great progress in defence, maritime cooperation, science, technology. Clean energy as well, which is something I know Australia can work together closely with India on," he said.
Scholarships and partnerships will be offered to boost cultural, business and institutional ties.
Work will also begin on a new mobility agreement to free up travel access.
A task force will start work on a plan for joint recognition of educational, trade and professional qualifications.
