“Responding to the region's disasters, combating proliferation, acting against piracy, we can work together on a full range of security challenges,” the Prime Minister said. Modi said India and Australia were members of several institutions “critical” to the region and the world and both the countries should coordinate more closely on different global fora.
He said the two countries need not have to rely on borrowed architecture of the past nor did the two have the luxury to “choose who we work with and who we don't.”
“But, 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.
“India and Australia are members of several institutions that are critical for this region and the world. We should coordinate more closely in East Asia Summit, G20 and the Indian Ocean Region Association,” Modi said.
Modi said, India's development and growth provides a long term opportunity for Australia and it has immense opportunities in the field of agriculture, food processing, mining, infrastructure, finance, technology and energy.
“We have a new Mission for turning ‘Make in India' into a global name just as Computer in India is. But, 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. “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. Indian investors, too, are coming here in growing numbers and commitments,” Modi said. He highlighted that since his government came to office, no region has seen more intense engagement on India's part than Asia Pacific region.
