Australia PM Tony Abbott hopes to sign nuke pact during Delhi visit (update- Tony Abbott)

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott, in India for a two-day visit, will reach Delhi on Friday with a hope to sign a nuclear cooperation agreement between the two countries, enabling uranium sales by Australia to India.

Earlier in Australia, Abbott had said, "My hope is to deepen the friendship between Australia and India, at a time of renewed optimism in India under the new government of Prime Minister Modi. I am hoping to sign a nuclear cooperation agreement that will enable uranium sales by Australia to India. I'm hoping to strengthen the trade relationship with a large delegation of very senior representatives of our mining, financial and educational institutions."

"The government is determined to build a stronger Australia and a safer world. An important part of that is stronger relations with our key economic and security partners," he added.

He also said, "India is the world's second most populous nation, it is the world's third largest economy on a purchasing power basis and it is the world's emerging democratic superpower. We have so much in common with India: democracy, the rule of law, the English language, it's already our fifth largest market; for some years, it has been our largest source of migrants, and in most years, it is our largest source of students."

Abbott's visit to India is the first accorded the status of a State Visit since Prime Minister Narendra Modi was elected. Abbott had earlier today launched the 'New Colombo Plan' at the Mumbai University.

Prime Minister Modi is also scheduled to visit Australia for the upcoming G-20 summit, the first time an Indian head of government will visit Australia since 1986.