Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday made Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese laugh with a light-hearted cricket joke. Speaking in Melbourne, PM Modi said that being in the city (the sporting capital) and not talking about sports is “like skipping a cricket match after the toss”.
Cricket is a “diplomatic” language between the two countries, he said in a joint press statement alongside Albanese.
“The India-Australia meetings feel like cricket. Our schedule is as focused as a one-day game. Decisions are as quick as T20s. Our partnership is as long and deep as a Test match,” he said.
Read also: Uranium deal and defense ties are on the agenda of Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Australia
Prime Minister Modi in Australia
Prime Minister Modi arrived in Australia on Wednesday (July 8) as part of his three-nation tour aimed at strengthening trade and defense ties. He arrived here from Indonesia, where he began his tour.
“I thank Prime Minister Albanese for the warm welcome he extended to me and my delegation. India and Australia are two important powers in the ocean. Our cooperation has reached new heights after the third annual summit,” Prime Minister Modi said, according to ANI.
The two leaders signed a series of agreements to enhance cooperation in key sectors such as civil nuclear energy, maritime security and critical minerals, as they agreed to give new impetus to bilateral relations.
Agree on Civil nuclear energy It will facilitate the commercial supply of uranium from Australia to India to assist nuclear power projects in New Delhi.
Modi said in his media statement: “Today, we signed an important agreement in the field of nuclear energy. This will open the way for uranium supplies from Australia to India and give new impetus to our clean energy goals.”
“Our cooperation on critical minerals is vital to our strategic security and our transition to clean energy. With this in mind, we today launched the Australia-India Partnership on Cyber, Biotechnology and Supply Chains,” he said.
At the conclusion of the third annual Australia-India summit, the two leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to a free, open, rules-based and peaceful Indo-Pacific region. Prime Minister Modi also emphasized the growing engagement between the two countries in the field of defence.
Read also: Prime Minister Modi begins a major visit to Australia with a guard of honor and bilateral talks
“The Indo-Pacific region is not just the meeting place of two oceans. It also symbolizes the shared aspirations of like-minded democracies like India and Australia,” he said.
“Today, we made an important joint announcement to strengthen defense and security cooperation. Through the India-Australia Defense Innovation Corridor, we will work to connect startups and defense industries.”
Prime Minister Modi on terrorism
The Indian Prime Minister also spoke about terrorism, saying that it poses a serious challenge not only to any particular country, but to all of humanity.
“Therefore, our fight against terrorism is common, our resolve is unwavering, and our cooperation continues to strengthen,” he said.
“We also believe that the tensions and conflicts raging in many parts of the world can only be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. Together, we will work to promote peace, stability, freedom of navigation and rules-based order throughout the Indo-Pacific region,” he added.
Cricket relations between India and Australia
Cricket has always been one of the strongest links between India and Australia, with the rivalries between the two sides being among the fiercest in the sport.
The rivalry has produced many memorable moments over the years, including Australia’s win over India in the 2023 Men’s Cricket World Cup final in Ahmedabad.
