The message came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese in Melbourne, where the two leaders reviewed cooperation across defence, security, energy and regional issues.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said both countries shared common concerns over terrorism and violent extremism, citing recent attacks that had affected both nations. Misri also said that the situation in West Asia came up for discussion and the Prime Minister expressed once again India's desire to see sustained peace in the region.

"The leaders also exchanged perspectives about regional and multilateral matters of mutual interest, including shared concerns such as terrorism and violent extremism, which impact both countries. Both countries have seen terrible incidents in the space of the last year or so in this domain. The Prime Minister expressed once again India's desire to see sustained peace in the West Asian region, which was also a subject that came up for discussion between the two sides," Misri said.

"Both leaders also extended or reiterated their support to Quad and identified it as a key mechanism to respond to some of the region's most pressing challenges, including in areas related to infrastructure, critical and emerging technologies, cyber security, supply chain resilience, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief, maritime security, and counter-terrorism," he added.

PM Modi invites Australian firms to invest in India

PM Modi also pitched for early finalisation of the proposed India-Australia Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) as it will further accelerate bilateral trade and investment ties.

In an address at a business forum, Modi also invited Australian companies to invest in India, saying it offers "unmatched opportunities" for growth in sectors such as aviation, financial services, critical minerals, technology and food processing.

The prime minister landed in Australia on Wednesday on a three-day visit that is largely aimed at boosting defence, energy and trade ties.

Modi addressed the Australia-India CEOs Forum and the Economic Roadmap Business event ahead of his talks with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

Leading Indian and Australian CEOs and business leaders, representatives of major Australian superannuation funds and institutional investors, and vice-chancellors of leading Australian universities participated in the two events.