Punjab Newsline | Melbourne

Prime Minister Narendra Modi struck a lighter note during his address in Melbourne by using cricket to describe the growing partnership between India and Australia. Sharing the stage with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during a joint press statement, Modi called cricket the "diplomatic language" between the two nations, drawing smiles from his Australian counterpart.

Speaking in Melbourne, a city renowned for its sporting culture, Modi remarked that avoiding a discussion on sports there would be like leaving a cricket match immediately after the toss. He compared the India-Australia relationship to different formats of the game, saying, "Our agenda is as focused as a One-Day International, our decisions are as swift as a T20 match, and our partnership is as enduring and resilient as a Test match."

Prime Minister Modi arrived in Australia on Wednesday as part of his three-nation tour, following his visit to Indonesia. He thanked Prime Minister Albanese for the warm welcome and described India and Australia as two major maritime nations whose strategic cooperation continues to deepen.

The two leaders signed several agreements covering civilian nuclear energy, maritime security, and critical minerals. The civilian nuclear energy pact is expected to facilitate commercial uranium supplies from Australia to India, supporting India's nuclear power program.

New partnerships were also launched in cyber technology, critical technologies, and resilient supply chains.

India and Australia further issued a joint declaration to enhance defence and security cooperation. Modi announced the launch of the India-Australia Defence Innovation Corridor, aimed at connecting defence startups and industries in both countries. The leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to a free, open, peaceful, and rules-based Indo-Pacific region.

Highlighting global security concerns, Modi said terrorism remains a serious threat to all of humanity, not just individual nations. He emphasized that India and Australia share a strong commitment to combating terrorism and will continue expanding cooperation in the fight against the global menace.