India PM Modi Visits Australia, Seeks Closer Defense Ties

Narendra Modi has arrived in Sydney on his second visit to Australia as India's Prime Minister.

Modi kicked off his three-day tour on Tuesday by telling Australian media that he wants to take New Delhi's ties with Canberra to the "next level," which includes deepening defense and security ties to help ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

"As two democracies, India and Australia have shared interests in a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific. There is alignment of our strategic viewpoint," Modi told The Australian newspaper.

"The high degree of mutual trust between us has naturally translated into greater cooperation on defense and security matters. Our navies are participating in joint naval exercises. I am confident that there is merit in working together to realize the true potential in closer defense and security cooperation," he added.

The visit comes after Modi attended a four-way summit over the weekend in Japan with the leaders of the United States, Japan, and Australia to counter China's growing influence in the Indo-Pacific.

While in Australia, the Indian populist leader is expected to address the Indian diaspora in a 20,000-seat stadium. Tickets for the event, which will also be attended by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, are sold out.

Meanwhile, bilateral talks between Modi and Albanese are scheduled for Wednesday.

Australia is the last stop on Modi's Asia-Pacific tour. The trip is seen as part of an effort to assert India's role in the region in the face of growing influence from China.

Before flying to Sydney, Modi was in Papua New Guinea to meet 14 Pacific island leaders in a bid to boost cooperation.