PM Narendra Modi being received by Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop. (Press Trust of India photo)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet his Australian counterpart Tony Abbott later today for summit-level talks, during which the two countries are expected to sign a series of pacts on social security, transfer of sentenced prisoners and combating narcotics trade.
During his meetings with Mr Abbott, the Prime Minister is expected to discuss trade, energy and security, including the fight against the dreaded terror group Islamic State (IS). He is also expected to discuss avenues to remove red tape between the two countries.
The two-way trade stands at a relatively modest $15 billion a year compared with $150 billion for Australia's two-way trade with China.
The deal on social security is expected to make it easier to swap staff between the two countries and is likely to boost two-way investment.
PM Modi arrived earlier in Canberra on the third leg of his four-city tour of Australia from Sydney. In a departure from protocol, he was received by Foreign Minister Julie Bishop at the Defence Establishment Fairbaim. It is not usual for Australian ministers to receive foreign dignitaries when they arrive late in the night.
Regarding the visit - the first by an Indian Prime Minister in 28 years - an editorial in a leading daily 'The Australian' has said "it would be hard to overstate the economic, political and strategic significance of the official visit".
The edit noted that the overdue end of the ban on uranium sales announced by Mr Abbott in New Delhi in September has done much to place the India-Australia ties on a new footing.
The two countries had sealed a landmark civil nuclear deal that will facilitate sale of uranium to New Delhi.
Australia has about 40 per cent of the world's uranium reserves and exports nearly 7,000 tonnes of yellow cake annually. India and Australia had commenced negotiations for the sale of uranium in early 2012.