Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday that India is seeking new pathways with other countries of
the world to achieve prosperity, and would no longer be confined to travelling down the roads of the previous century.
Addressing a joint session of the Australian Parliament, the first by an Indian Prime Minister, Modi said, "We want to find new pathways to
prosperity, not simply travel down the roads of the previous century. Much of India's future cities and infrastructure is yet to be built
and so we have a unique opportunity to make our choices now."
He further stated, "In every sector - agriculture, food processing, mining, infrastructure, manufacturing, finance and technology, energy;
from providing funds and resources to technology and expertise; working as partners and investors - Australia has immense
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opportunities to participate in India's progress."
"In turn, India will be the answer to your search for new economic opportunities and your desire to diversify your global economic
engagement; your source for world class skills at home or for a manufacturing location abroad. India's development, demography and
demand provide a unique long term opportunity for Australia - and all in the familiar framework of democracy. There is no other example of
this nature in the world," Prime Minister Modi added.
Maintaining that Indian investors, too, are coming to Australia in growing numbers and commitments, Prime Minister Modi said, "This is an
age rich in promise, but also filled with challenges. We can only pursue our dreams, if we have the confidence that our cities are safe,
our nations are secure, our region is stable and our world is peaceful."
"This vast region has many unsettled questions and new challenges. Historical differences persist despite growing inter-dependence. The
oceans are our lifelines. But, we worry about its access and security in our part of the world more than ever before. Our region has seen
huge progress on the foundation of peace and stability," Prime Minister Modi said, adding, "India and Australia can play their part
in it -by expanding our security cooperation and deepening our international partnerships in the region."
"We do not have to rely on borrowed architecture of the past. Nor do we have the luxury to choose who we work with and who we don't. What
we do need is to work together and with others to create environment and culture that promotes the currency of co-existence and
cooperation; in which all nations, small and big, abide by international law and norms, even when they have bitter disputes, "
the Indian Prime Minister said.
"We should collaborate more on maintaining maritime security. We should work together on the seas and collaborate in international
forums. And, we should work for a universal respect for international law and global norms," he added.
Earlier, in an opening statement at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Tony Abbott, Prime Minister Modi said that both nations
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.
He also expressed 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.
He described 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.