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Chandigarh: Haryana is seeking to expand cooperation with Australia in education, skilling, investment, innovation and emerging technologies to create global opportunities for its youth. A meeting was held between chief minister Nayab Singh Saini and a high-level delegation, led by Australian High Commissioner to India Philip Green, in Chandigarh on Wednesday. Discussions covered collaboration between universities and research institutions, industry-oriented skilling, agriculture, green energy, advanced manufacturing, sports and tourism. Saini said the expanding India-Australia strategic partnership offered considerable scope for state-level cooperation. A key focus was on creating a direct bridge between Haryana’s skill ecosystem and Australian vocational and technical institutions. The two sides discussed modern curricula, English-language training, international certification and employment-oriented courses through ITIs, polytechnics and skill universities. Sectors identified for potential overseas employment included healthcare, construction, advanced manufacturing, hospitality, logistics and IT. Investment opportunities in automobiles, advanced manufacturing, agri-tech, logistics, technology and Industry 4.0 also figured in the talks. Saini highlighted Haryana’s industrial base, infrastructure and skilled workforce as potential advantages for Australian investors. The two sides also discussed clean energy, including green hydrogen, solar power, battery storage, waste-to-energy and the circular economy, as well as sports science and high-performance training in wrestling, boxing, hockey and cricket. The meeting assumed significance as Haryana seeks to expand its international partnerships beyond investment promotion towards skills and technology transfer. Chief principal secretary to the CM Rajesh Khullar and CM’s foreign cooperation adviser Pawan Choudhary were among the key Haryana officials present during the discussions. Philip Green invited Saini to visit Australia, with both sides emphasising stronger institutional and people-to-people linkages.