Beattie told senior representatives of the Tata Group, India's largest private sector industrial conglomerate with more than 80 companies in various sectors, including steel, software and power, that there were significant advantages to be gained from investing in Queensland's mining industry. Tata already imports coal from Queensland.
"It (Tata) is interested in investing in Australian coal mines to feed its voracious appetite for coking coal for steel production," Beattie said.
"Regulatory changes in India a year ago have sparked an expansion by Indian mining companies, and they are looking for new mining sites, more coal and the latest in mining services innovation."
Beattie is promoting investment opportunities during a 10-day trade mission in India and Japan.
