New Delhi, Jun 23 (IANS): The Australian government Friday expressed its willingness to strengthen bilateral ties with Uttar Pradesh and to transfer technology in areas like agriculture and agricultural research, and energy, an official release said.

In a meeting with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav here, Australian High Commissioner Peter Varghese submitted a list of proposals.

Congratulating Akhilesh for the landslide win of his party in the state assembly elections, the Varghese also expressed his country's wish to work with institutes like the Indian Institute of Technology-Kanpur to improve the quality of rivers in Uttar Pradesh.

He also expressed his country's willingness to support the state in areas like food processing, food trade, coal, and science and technology.

The envoy also told the chief minister, who has himself studied in Australia, that Lucknow and Australia shared a common bond. He said that the Griffins, who designed the Australian capital Canberra, stayed in Lucknow for several years and designed many landmark buildings in Lucknow, including the library of the Lucknow University.

Varghese also informed the chief minister that in 2013 when Canberra completes its 100th year of existence, these points would also be specially highlighted during the celebrations so that the ties of Australia and Uttar Pradesh were further strengthened.