Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said Australia would 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, while addressing the Australian Parliament, the first Indian Prime Minister to do so, said, “It has taken a Prime Minister of India 28 years to come to Australia. It should never have been so. And this will change. Australia will not be at the periphery of our vision, but at the centre of our thought.”
Mr. Modi addressed the Parliament after holding talks with Prime Minister Tony Abbott following which the two countries signed five pacts on social security, transfer of sentenced prisoners, combating narcotics trade, tourism, and arts and culture.
During the talks, the two sides sought an early comprehensive economic partnership agreement.
