Chennai: The Free Trade Agreement between India and Australia should be concluded as fast as possible, Australian High Commissioner Patrick Suckling said here today, quoting Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"Mr Modi said he wants FTA to be done as fast as possible," he said at an awards function, while referring to Modi's just concluded visit to Australia.
Lauding Modi for his excellent address to the Australian Parliament, the first by any Indian Prime Minister, he said "it was a very good speech, an excellent speech."
Stating that Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Modi are "similar people" with a "strong sense of commitment to deep values and democracy," he said, Modi had articulated India's priorities in a manner that was "crystal clear."
"In some cases he went further than what we expected," he said.
Expressing strong hope that it was a very good time for bilateral ties between India and Australia, Suckling said Modi's recent visit had covered all areas of mutual interest, including cooperation in defence and energy security.
"India needs energy (security) and we have lot of resources. We will provide gas, coal and uranium and also work together in areas like education and skill development. India wants to transform its mining industry and energy sector, we will provide them our expertise," he added.
