India, Australia seeking early closure to civil nuke pact: PM Modi

Prime Ministers of India and Australia said on Tuesday that they were seeking early closure to a civil nuclear agreement that will give Australia a chance to participate in one of the worlds most safe and secure nuclear energy programmes.

"We have 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," said

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in an opening statement at a joint press conference with his Australian counterpart Tony Abbott here this morning.

Expressing his deep honour at being given the opportunity to address a joint session of the Australian Parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Tuesday that meetings between him and his Australian counterpart Tony Abbot at intervals over the past two-and-a-half months reflected the broad framework of the bilateral relationship.

Describing the growing India-Australia partnership as a natural one in the cause of a peaceful and prosperous world, he said in an opening statement at a joint press conference here that it was one "arising from our shared values and interests, and our strategic maritime locations."

"India and Australia have a great economic synergy. 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. The economic climate in India has changed. I believe it will be a lot easier to convert opportunities into concrete outcomes," the Prime Minister said.

Prime Minister Modi said that Prime Minister Abbott and he had discussed what both governments could and should impart to give real momentum to the bilateral economic partnership.

"Reconstituting the CEO Forum is an important step. We have agreed to speed up negotiations on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. I also asked for easier access for Indian business to the Australian market and quicker investment approvals," he said.

He also informed that India will hold a 'Make in India' show in Australia in 2015, while Australia would also be holding a Business Week in India in January 2015.

Prime Minister Modi also expressed his satisfaction with the new Cultural Exchange Programme signed today, which he said would go a long way in connecting the peoples of the two countries.

He made a special mention of the games of cricket and hockey, which he described as the "natural glue between our people", but also made a pitch for yoga which was "enormously popular here (Australia)".

"I am pleased India would establish a Cultural Centre in Sydney by February 2015. We plan to hold a Festival of India in Australia in 2015 and tourism weeks in Australia," he said.

"The Social Security Agreement is a really positive development. It will help in making our business relations stronger, especially in the services sector," Prime Minister Modi said.

As regards the new framework for security cooperation, the Indian Prime Minister said, "Security and defence are important and growing areas of the new India-Australia partnership - for advancing regional peace and stability, and combating terrorism and trans-national crimes."

He said that his visit with Prime Minister Abbott to the Australian War Memorial reminded him that there is a need to "strive together for a better world."

He concluded by saying that he was looking forward to spending the evening at the Melbourne Cricket Ground with Prime Minister Abbott.