Talking about the MCG, Modi said it would be a deserving venue for the Cricket World Cup finals 2015 and hope that India and Australia will play that match. “No business is serious enough to keep an Australian and an Indian from discussing this great game,” Modi said. Before the dinner by Abbott, Modi presented “Skippers” memento carrying replica of Mahatma Gandhi's charkha with three cricket balls signed by him and World Cup winning Indian captains Kapil Dev and M S Dhoni.
He said, “My memorable visit to Australia ends tonight, but a new journey of our relationship has begun.” The Prime Minister also noted that people asked him that isn't it too soon for him to visit Australia after Abbott's recent trip to India “I said I can't say no to my friend Tony”.
Modi also thanked Abbott for travelling all the way to Melbourne to attend the reception.
Modi felt India can learn from Australia's famous sporting skills in other areas too and said both the countries have decided to collaborate on a Sports University in India. “A successful India will be a vast opportunity and a force of good for the world,” he said, adding “My memorable visit to Australia ends tonight, but a new journey of our relationship has begun.”
