Both India and Australia have agreed to enhance co-operation in various regional and international forums during the visit of Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott.
In this regard, both the Prime Ministers of India and Australia discussed the importance of consolidating the G-20 as the premier forum for international economic cooperation.
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott briefed Prime Minister Modi on Australia's priorities as host of the G20 in 2014 and underlined Australia's interest in working closely with India to lift ambition and ensure the G20 delivers economic growth, jobs and a resilient global economy.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi appreciated Australia's chairmanship and underlined India's commitment to the G20's successful contribution to ensuring strong, sustainable and balanced growth of the global economy.
The two leaders recognised the importance of the East Asia Summit (EAS) as the pre-eminent regional forum for addressing strategic, political and economic issues.
They welcomed increased bilateral collaboration in the EAS, with India and Australia co-chairing the Taskforce on Access to Quality Medicines under the Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance.
The Prime Ministers acknowledged ongoing cooperation in other regional bodies such as the ASEAN Regional Forum and the Asia Europe Meeting.
India got support from the Australian Prime Minister Abbott who reiterated his nations' support for India's membership of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum (APEC).
Leaders from India and Australia highlighted the concrete steps towards more effective practical cooperation in the Indian Ocean Regional Association (IORA) .
A joint statement issued after the talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Tony Abbot noted that the two nations would work closely to further strengthening the organisation in the six priority areas of maritime security and piracy, fisheries management; disaster risk reduction; tourism and cultural exchanges, academic and S and T cooperation, and trade and investment facilitation. Both countries look forward to taking this collaboration to a higher level at the next Council of Ministers meeting in Perth in October 2014.
Reaffirming the importance of reform of the UN, including the Security Council, to better reflect contemporary realities, Prime Minister Modi welcomed Australia's continuing support for India as a permanent member in a reformed United Nations Security Council.
