Australia fetes Indian leader with focus on trade, not rights

Dancers wave Australian and Indian national flag as they perform ahead of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's arrival to attend a community event at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia, Tuesday, May 23, 2023. Modi has arrived in Sydney for his second Australian visit as India's prime minister and told local media he wants closer bilateral defense and security ties as China's influence in the Indo-Pacific region grows. - AP

SYDNEY, May 23, 2023 (AFP): Australia said Tuesday it wants to take relations with India to "the next level" as it hosts Prime Minister Narendra Modi on a trade-focused visit with little attention to his government's treatment of minorities.

With the lure of growing trade riches and a powerful partner to parry China's expanding military, diplomatic and economic influence in the Pacific region, Australia's government is layering on the charm.