Modi, Albanese Take a Lap at Ahmedabad Stadium, Cheered, Albanese Visit INS Vikrant
NEW DELHI, Mar 9: The Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese were greeted with loud cheering and applause as they took a lap of honour at the cricket stadium in Ahmedabad just minutes before the fourth cricket test match between India and Australia was to begin on Thursday morning. The two Prime Ministers waved at the crowds as they took a round of the Narendra Modi stadium in a “chariot” fashioned out of a golf cart, before the fourth Test match between India and Australia.
“On the field, Australia and India are competing to be the best in the world. Off the field, we are co-operating to build a better world,” the Australian PM said in a tweet. As two cricket-loving nations, Australia and India share a fierce but friendly rivalry.
Modi and Albanese handed over Test caps to their respective team captains, Rohit Sharma and Steve Smith, and shook hands with the teams. They also met players from both sides and stood along side them when the national anthems of India and Australia were sung.
BCCI later Wrote: A special welcome & special handshakes! The Honourable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modiji and the Honourable Prime Minister of Australia, Mr Anthony Albanese meet #TeamIndia & TeamIndia & Australia respectively.
– BCCI (@BCCI)
The two leaders have also presented framed artwork representing 75 years of friendship through cricket by the BCCI. “Mr. Jay Shah, Honorary Secretary, BCCI, presents framed artwork to Honourable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modiji, celebrating 75 years of friendship with Australia through cricket.
– BCCI (@BCCI)
“One of the things that bind both countries is cricket and it will be great to see the leaders of India and Australia on day one of the matches in Ahmedabad,” Australian High Commissioner Barry O’Farrell said.
The two leaders watched the match for about half an hour before leaving the stadium. Later the Australian prime minister who reached Mumbai from Ahmedabad, was welcomed on board India’s first home-grown aircraft carrier INS Vikrant. It was the first time that INS Vikrant received a foreign Prime Minister on board.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who is on a visit to India, received a guard of honour on board the carrier today. “I am honoured to be here today on the newly-commissioned, Indian-designed and manufactured INS Vikrant at the invitation of Prime Minister Modi. My visit reflects my government’s commitment to place India at the heart of Australia’s approach to the Indo-Pacific and beyond,” Mr Albanese said in a statement.
“… What lifts defence relationships to new levels is the resolve and foresight of those who see the relationship not only for what it is, but what it could be. Prime Minister Modi is one such person,” he said. India and Australia are close strategic partners. In August this year, Australia will hold the Malabar Naval Exercise with India, Japan and the US. India will for the first time participate in Australia’s Talisman Sabre exercise.
INS Vikrant was commissioned into the navy in September last year. The 45,000-tonne warship has been built at a cost of ₹ 20,000 crore. At 262 metres long and 62 metres wide, INS Vikrant is the largest warship to be built in India. It can have 30 aircraft on board, including MiG-29K fighter jets and helicopters. The warship can accommodate a crew of nearly 1,600.
(Manas Dasgupta)
