India, Australia should cooperate in maritime security: Narendra Modi

CanberraIn a historic speech in the Australian parliament Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday 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 securityNarendra ModiModi 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 AssociationSpeaking 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 IndianHe 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 waterAmid 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 beforeHe said both countries can play their part in maintaining maritime securityBut 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 dont he saidHe said both sides need to work together and with others to create environment and culture that promotes the currency of coexistence and cooperation in which all nations small and big abide by international law and norms even when they have bitter disputesChina is locked in territorial disputes with countries in Southeast Asia over islands and rights over water zonesModi called for deeper bilateral cooperation to combat terrorism but he said with it turning into a global problem it requires a comprehensive global strategyHe said there should be a policy of no distinction between terrorist groups or discrimination between nations and a resolve to isolate those who harbour terrorists willingness to empower states that will fight them a social movement against extremism in countries where it is most prevalent and every effort to delink religion and terrorismModi also highlighted his governments Make in India mission and said Much of Indias future cities and infrastructure is yet to be built and so we have a unique opportunity to make our choices nowHe said Australia has immense opportunities to participate in Indias progress in areas like agriculture food processing mining infrastructure manufacturing finance and technology energyI see a great future of partnership between India and Australia and a shared commitment to realize it Prime Minister Tony Abbott started us on this new journey in September I have come here to set our two countries more firmly on that course Modi said