Indian leader wants closer links with Australia

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for a closer strategic partnership between India and Australia as well as a closer trading relationship, warning that peace in the Asia-Pacific region cannot be taken for granted.

Modi said in a rare address to the Australian Parliament on Tuesday that few countries have as much synergy as energy-hungry India and resource-rich Australia. He says countries are also "united by the ideals of democracy."