Canada's Carney arrives in Australia for meeting of 'middle powers'

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney arrived in Australia on Tuesday, aiming to bolster relations between the two so-called "middle powers" amid what he has called a "rupture" in world order.



The leaders of both nations, close allies of the United States, are meeting as war escalates in the Middle East, and will look to strengthen ties as top producers of critical minerals.



Carney is on a multi-leg trip across the Asia-Pacific region also taking in Japan and India, where he signed trade deals and reset relations with New Delhi after a year-long spat over Sikh separatism.



Canada and Australia have warmer ties, with the two nations expected to deepen cooperation in areas such as defence and maritime security, critical minerals, trade and artificial intelligence, Carney's office said ahead of the visit.



Carney is set to address Australia's parliament and meet Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who described Canada last week as one of Australia's "closest friends, built on generations of trust", and urged closer ties to promote national interests.