PM Narendra Modi Toasts Australia at Famous Melbourne Cricket Ground: 10 Developments

When I was invited to Australia, no Indian PM had been here in 28 years. People asked me isn't it early to go there? My answer was - I can't refuse my friend Tony," said Mr Modi. Earlier, Mr Abbott had referred to Mr Modi by his first name.

Legendary cricketers, including Indian greats Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev and VVS Laxman and Australians Steve Waugh and Stuart Clarke, attended a reception at the MCG before the banquet. "We hope we can strengthen his hands," Kapil Dev told NDTV.

Mr Modi and Mr Abbott posed with the trophy for the 2015 cricket World Cup, to be played in Australia. Mr Modi said he hoped Australia and India would the finals at the MCG. He also tweeted a selfie with Mr Abbott at the ground.

The two leaders displayed a great personal rapport right through Mr Modi's five-day, four-city visit to Australia. Getting down to business, they turned their chemistry into a strategic partnership.

In Canberra, the two countries held bilateral talks and announced an action plan to scale up their diplomatic engagement. They have decided that the two Prime Ministers should meet at least once a year. They also decided on more joint counter-terrorism efforts, including sharing of information on suspicious financial transactions.

Mr Modi addressed the Australian Parliament and said in his 25-minute speech, "Australia will not be at the periphery of our vision, but at the centre of our thought." The two countries have also signed five agreements on social security, transfer of sentenced prisoners, combating narcotics trade, arts and culture, and tourism.

"If all goes well, Australia will supply uranium to India next year. When two PMs say this, it will happen," said Mr Abbott, referring to the landmark nuclear deal between the two countries that will facilitate the sale of uranium to India.

Before Canberra, Mr Modi spent six packed hours in Sydney crowned by a blockbuster reception, where he made an emotive address before a 20,000-strong crowd that continuously chanted "Modi, Modi" at the Allphones Arena of the Olympic Park.

His first stop in Australia was Brisbane, where he attended the annual summit of the G20 or group of 20 top developed and emerging economies. The PM made a strong pitch for repatriation of black money stashed in tax havens and called for "close coordination" among nations to address the issue.

This evening, the PM left Australia for Fiji where he will meet more regional leaders and will then head home, concluding his 10-day three-nation tour. "Thank you Australia! Past few days have been excellent," the PM tweeted.