N-cooperation deal likely with India: Tony Abbott

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott Thursday said he was hoping to sign a nuclear cooperation agreement with India.

"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 Narendra Modi. I am hoping to sign a nuclear cooperation agreement that will enable uranium sales by Australia to India," a statement from the Australian High Commission in the capital quoted Abbott as saying.

Terming India as the world's emerging democratic superpower, Abbott said the two countries had a lot in common.

"We have so much in common with India - democracy, the rule of law, the English language - it's already our fifth largest market. In some years, it's our largest source of migrants, in most years it's our largest source of students," Abbott said.

The statement also said Modi will be visiting Australia for the G20 summit later this year.