Extract from the Joint Statement on the State Visit of Prime Minister of Australia to India

The Prime Minister of Australia Mr Tony Abbott paid a State Visit to India from 4-5 September, 2014 at the invitation of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

The Prime Ministers welcomed the signing of the bilateral Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement as a concrete symbol of the bilateral partnership. They noted the Agreement would enable the sale of Australian uranium to support India’s growing energy needs and directed the negotiators to conclude the Administrative Arrangements at an early date.

Abbott welcomed growing Indian investment in Australia and underlined Australia’s commitment to providing a stable investment environment and streamlined approvals process. Prime Minister Modi too welcomed Australian investments in a range of infrastructure, resources, technology and other projects in India.

Welcomed the progress towards a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) would support a significant expansion of two-way trade and investment. They renewed the commitment of both countries for an early conclusion of an equitable, balanced, comprehensive and high quality agreement.

On behalf of the Prime Ministers of Australia and New Zealand, Prime Minister Abbott extended an invitation to Prime Minister Modi to attend the commemoration of the 100 year anniversary of Gallipoli in 2015. (The site in Turkey where the Anzac Corps fought the Turks in WWI).

Agreed to deepen the cooperation between both countries on energy security through a Ministerial-level dialogue. They agreed to develop a strategic partnership on energy and resources based on long-term, sustainable and reliable supply of Australian resources based on India’s energy needs. They agreed that cooperation on energy - extending to coal, LNG, renewables and uranium-and on resources such as iron ore, copper and gold were key elements of the relationship and committed to intensifying these links.

Welcomed increasing collaboration on the challenge of managing scarce water resources and river basin management and announced an extension of the MoU on water cooperation. Prime Minister Modi welcomed Australia’s offer to support India’s Ganga rejuvenation efforts.

Acknowledged ongoing cooperation in other regional bodies such as the ASEAN Regional Forum and the Asia Europe Meeting. Abbott reiterated Australia’s support for India’s membership of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum (APEC).

Underlining the importance of greater connectivity to support growing commercial and cultural ties, including in the education and tourism sectors, the Prime Ministers welcomed the commencement of direct Air India flights to Australia. Noting the growing numbers of tourists travelling in both directions, they welcomed the decision to commence negotiations on a Memorandum of Understanding on Tourism.

Mr Tony Abbott renewed his invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Australia. Modi accepted the invitation to undertake a bilateral visit to Australia at the time of the G20 Summit in November 2014. Both sides agreed that the visit of Prime Minister Modi to Australia will lead to strengthening of the cooperative relations between the two countries, and will provide further impetus for the future development of the strategic partnership.