PM Narendra Modi raises a toast at a banquet hosted by Australian PM Tony Abbott in Melbourne
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today raised a toast "to the Queen" and to the people of Australia at a banquet being hosted for him by Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott at the famous 161-year-old Melbourne Cricket Ground.
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"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, adding that "the distance used to bother me."
Legendary cricketers, including Indian greats Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev and VVS Laxman and Australian Stuart Clarke, attended the MCG reception. "We hope we can strengthen his hands," Kapil Dev told NDTV.
Before dinner, Mr Modi and Mr Abbott posed with the 2015 cricket World Cup trophy. Australia hosts the cricket World Cup next year.
At a meeting today, Mr Modi promised Australian CEOs ease of doing business and an end to red tape in India. "I assure you of my personal attention... I invite you to India. This is the best time to be in India, both for business and life," Mr Modi said.
In Canberra earlier today, 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 established a framework for bilateral security cooperation to advance regional peace and to combat terrorism through a comprehensive global strategy.
Mr Modi addressed the Parliament after holding bilateral talks with Mr Abbott. The two countries have signed five agreements on social security, transfer of sentenced prisoners, combating narcotics trade, arts and culture, and tourism.
Before Canberra, Mr Modi spent six 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.
The PM has left Australia for Fiji, where he will meet more regional leaders and will then head home, concluding his 10-day three-nation tour.
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