AHMEDABAD: Australian PM Anthony Albanese paid rich tributes to Mahatma Gandhi, saying his values and philosophy continue to inspire the world and a lot can be learnt from his life, as he visited the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad on his first India tour. Albanese and PM Modi will watch the first day of the fourth Test match between India and Australia on Thursday.
Aus PM arrives in Guj, will visit Mumbai today, Delhi next
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Wednesday arrived in Ahmedabad on a state visit to India. Albanese, who is on an official visit to India from March 8-11, was welcomed by Gujarat chief minister Bhupendra Patel.
The Australian PM upon his arrival to India tweeted: “An incredible welcome to Ahmedabad, India. The beginning of an important trip for Australia-India relations.”
Prior to Albanese’s arrival, PM Narendra Modi on Wednesday said India eagerly awaits the arrival of the Australian PM. Modi said he looks forward to productive deliberations to further India-Australia bilateral relations. “India eagerly awaits your arrival! Looking forward to productive deliberations to further the India-Australia friendship. @AlboMP,” PM Modi tweeted on Wednesday.
Taking to Twitter, Albanese said that this trip demonstrates the commitment to deepen the links between the two countries, and to being a force for stability and growth in our region. Albanese on Wednesday tweeted, “Today I’m bringing a delegation of ministers and business leaders to India. Australia and India have a rich friendship, underpinned by our common interests, our shared democratic values, the bonds between our people, and an affectionate but fierce sporting rivalry.”
“At the kind invitation of Prime Minister @narendramodi, we will be visiting Ahmedabad, Mumbai and New Delhi. Trade with India presents Australian businesses and workers with tremendous opportunities for growth,” he added. According to an official release, the first in-person India-Australia Annual Summit will take place during Albanese’s visit. He will visit Mumbai on Thursday before arriving in New Delhi later in the day.
At the Annual Summit, leaders take stock of progress made on various initiatives under the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The summit lays the way forward on new initiatives and enhanced cooperation in a diverse range of sectors between India and Australia. The Summit was first held virtually on June 4, 2020, the release said. The visit comes after a series of high-level engagements and an exchange of ministerial visits between the two sides in 2022 and in 2023.
