The Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi reached Melbourne today on the fourth and final leg of his four-city tour of Australia. He arrived in Melbourne after a hectic morning in Canberra, where he held bilateral talks with his Australian counterpart Tony Abbott and then addressed the Australian Parliament, the first Indian Prime Minister to do so. The Prime Minister will meet Governor of Victoria Alex Chernov and Australian and institutional investors. He will also address the Australian business leaders. Abbott will host a reception for his Indian counterpart at the iconic 161-year-old Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) later in the evening. The Prime Minister will leave for Fiji in the night for a day-long visit to conclude his 10-day three-nation tour.
Earlier, India and Australia sought early conclusion of negotiations for a comprehensive economic partnership agreement and a closure on the civil nuclear deal as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his counterpart Tony Abbott held talks in Canberra. After the two leaders held talks, the two countries signed five pacts on social security, transfer of sentenced prisoners, combating narcotics trade, tourism, and art and culture.
Addressing a joint press conference after the talks, Mr Modi said, the two countries agreed on seeking early closure on the civil nuclear agreement, which will give Australia a chance to participate in one of the most secure and safe nuclear energy programme in the world. Mr Modi said, there are huge opportunities for partnership in every area we can think of — agriculture, agro-processing, resources, energy, finance, infrastructure, education, and science and technology. Mr Modi emphasized that the economic climate in India has changed and it is a lot easier to convert opportunities into concrete outcomes. Mr Modi also announced that India will organise a 'Make in India' show in Australia in 2015 while Australia would hold a business week in India in January next year.
Addressing the Australian Parliament, he said, Australia will not be at the periphery of India's vision but at the centre of its thought, as he called for closer bilateral security cooperation and a comprehensive global strategy to tackle the menace of terrorism. Mr Modi said, India views Australia as a vital partner in India's quest for progress and prosperity.
Speaking on the occasion, Australian Prime Minister said, if all goes well, Australia will export uranium to India under suitable safeguards because cleaner energy is one of the most important contributions that Australia can make to wider world. Mr Abbott said Parliament that by the end of the next year, the two countries will have a Free Trade deal with what is potentially the world's largest market.
