Roundup: India, Australia ink cooperation pacts during PM Turnbull's viist
Xinhua, April 10, 2017 Adjust font size:
India and Austrialia signed six agreements, including one on bolstering counter-terrorism cooperation Monday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held extensive talks with visiting Aussie Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.
The key counter-terrorism pact was inked between the Indian Home Ministry and its counterpart in Australia as both the Prime Ministers witnessed the signing at the iconic Hyderabad House in Delhi.
Later addressing a joint press conference with Prime Minister Turnbull, Modi said: "We reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations, number of forward-looking decisions taken to further strengthen our partnership."
Asserting on the importance of maintaining of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, the Indian leader said challenges like terrorism and cyber security require global strategy and solutions.
"We are aware that in this globalised world challenges like terrorism and cyber security extend beyond boundaries of our regions," Modi added.
Lauding Modi's statement, Turnbull said he hoped the counter-terrorism agreement as well as the two government's close cooperation on human trafficking, money laundering and other such crimes, will only serve to better ties between the two nations.
"Prime Minister Narendra Modi is leading this most remarkable nation on an extraordinary journey of growth and development. The achievements of India are the admiration of the world. Australia is looking forward to deepening its bond with India," he added.
On the crucial issue of uranium, Modi said Australia was ready to supply it to India, while the visiting prime minister said that his government was looking forward to exporting the susbtance to India "as soon as possible."
"Australia will work more closely with India to forge stronger ties. Our ties are strong and will be stronger because of this visit," Turnbull said.
Earlier in the day, Turnbull who arrived in India late Sunday evening on a four-day state visit, was accorded a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhawan (President's official residence) by Modi and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj also called on him.
This is Turnbull's first visit to India since he assumed office in September 2015. Endit