Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today visited the Melbourne Cricket Ground accompanied by the Prime Minister of Australia, the Hon. Mr. Anthony Albanese and the Premier of Victoria, the Hon. Jacinta Allan, for an event celebrating India-Australia sporting ties.
Several Australian sporting legends, including Mr. Steve Waugh and Ms. Lisa Sthalekar, were present at the event. The visit underscored the growing importance of sports, cultural exchanges and people-to-people ties as pillars of the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
At the event, the two Prime Ministers jointly released the India-Australia Sports Collaboration Roadmap which would promote cooperation in the fields of sports training and capacity building, sports science and technology, and sports industry and investment. It also aims to organize an India-Australia Youth Sports Festival.
The two leaders welcomed the growing collaboration between India and Australia in the field of sports. Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Modi highlighted the unique role of sports in bringing people together and noted that the Roadmap will enable the two countries to diversify their sporting partnership.
He congratulated Australia for winning the women’s cricket World Cup. Prime Minister Modi noted that India and Australia were together entering a significant decade in international sports, with India hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2030 and Australia hosting the Brisbane Olympics in 2032.
He emphasized that these developments create natural opportunities for closer bilateral cooperation in sports and associated industries. During the visit, the leaders interacted with young athletes participating in Kabbadi, Australian Football and Cricket exhibition games. The visit showcased the vibrant sporting and people-to-people connections between India and Australia.