India, Australia Should Cooperate In Maritime Security: Modi

CANBERRA: In a historic speech in the Australian parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi termed Australia a major partner of India in "every area of our national priority" and called for closer economic and security cooperation between the two, including in maintaining maritime security.

Modi, the first Indian prime minister to address the Australian parliament, said both need to strengthen their security cooperation to combat terrorism and cooperate closely in international forum like the East Asia Summit, the G20 and the Indian Ocean Region Association.

Speaking in English, Modi said that in the six months since his government has been in office, "we have moved forward, thinking with ambition, acting with speed; seeking growth not just for growth, but to transform the quality of life of every Indian".

He said Australia is viewed as "a major partner in every area of our national priority, including in providing skills, healthcare and building homes and in energy, building smart cities, in agriculture and in technologies to save water".

Amid ongoing maritime and territorial disputes in the South and East China Seas, Modi said "oceans are our lifelines. But, we worry about its access and security in our part of the world more than ever before".

He said both countries can play their part in maintaining maritime security.

READ MORE: Al Qaeda Banking on SIMI to Recruit Educated Indian Youth and Indian Diaspora Rev Up for Modi Event in Sydney