Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Melbourne on Wednesday for the second leg of his three-nation tour, where he is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and meet members of the Indian community.
Upon arriving in Australia, Modi highlighted the importance of the visit, expressing confidence that it would further strengthen the relationship between the two nations.
”Landed in Melbourne, Australia. This visit will add vigour to the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” Modi said in a post on X soon after his arrival.
The Prime Minister said he was looking forward to meeting his Australian counterpart and engaging with the Indian diaspora during the visit.
”I will also have the opportunity to interact with the Indian diaspora, which is an important pillar of our partnership,” Modi added, as quoted by Firstpost.
The Ministry of External Affairs also welcomed the visit, noting that the leaders would work to deepen cooperation across multiple sectors.
”PM @narendramodi arrived in Melbourne to a warm and special welcome. PM will co-chair the 3rd Annual Summit with PM Anthony Albanese @AlboMP and engage with various stakeholders to further deepen the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership across all sectors of mutual interest,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X.
Before departing New Delhi, Modi had outlined the key issues expected to feature in his discussions with Albanese.
”I shall, in my discussions with Prime Minister Albanese, take forward our relations in the areas of defence and security, trade and investments, education and mobility and people-to-people ties,” he had said, as quoted by Firstpost.
Modi travelled to Australia after concluding a three-day visit to Indonesia, where he met President Prabowo Subianto. During the visit, India and Indonesia signed 14 agreements covering areas such as critical minerals, maritime security and other strategic sectors.
In a symbolic gesture marking the close of the visit, President Prabowo personally saw Modi off at the airport.
The two leaders also visited the UNESCO-listed Prambanan Temple complex in Yogyakarta, where they inaugurated a joint conservation project for the historic site, Firstpost has reported.