Australian High Commissioner to India, Patrick Suckling, along with a high-level delegation, called on the Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, here last evening.Advisor to the Chief Minister, Prof. Amitabh Mattoo, Political Councillor in the Australian Embassy, Jenny Grant-Curnow and Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, B. B. Vyas, were also present on the occasion.During the meeting, the Chief Minister discussed with Patrick Suckling the possibilities of partnership in key areas like Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Skill Development, Higher Education and Tourism.
He also highlighted the need to withdraw the travel advisory on J&K, which he said is as safe to travel as any other tourist destination in the world.The Australian High Commissioner promised to review the travel advisory which will facilitate the visit of Australian businessmen and tourists to J&K. He also offered collaboration to the State in dairy, sheep rearing and vocational education in which Australia has set international benchmarks.Earlier, Patrick Suckling visited the University of Kashmir and discussed the possibilities of faculty and student exchange programmes with the Australian universities. He also held detailed consultations with the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCC&I) to boost business-to-business associations, particularly in the fabled handicraft sector.