'Cricket a shared passion': PM Modi visits Australia's Melbourne Cricket Ground

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accompanied by his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese, visited the Melbourne Cricket Ground, where he signed the jerseys of young cricketers and posed with Australia's official mascot, "Ruby the Roo." Former Australian men's cricket team captain Steve Waugh also met PM Modi at the stadium. "Stepping into the MCG evokes two simultaneous emotions for any Indian. First, the thrill of an India-Australia match and second, the realisation that, in both our nations, cricket is not merely a sport but a shared passion. Yet, today, there is no pressure of a 'last-over finish.' Instead, there is only the joy of the game, the warmth of our friendship, and the energy of future champions," PM Modi said. Earlier, PM Modi met Angus Taylor, Leader of the Opposition of Australia and held talks on growing strength of India-Australia ties. In a post on X, he said, "Met Mr. Angus Taylor, Leader of the Opposition of Australia. We had an engaging conversation on the growing strength of India-Australia ties and the many opportunities ahead. I deeply value the warmth and broad support that our partnership enjoys across Australia." India and Australia on Thursday elevated their strategic partnership by adopting the Joint Declaration on Defence and Security Cooperation (JDDSC) and the Maritime Security Collaboration Roadmap (MSCR), while also agreeing to operationalise their civil nuclear agreement to facilitate uranium exports to India. The two defence initiatives were among 18 major outcomes announced after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese during the Third India-Australia Annual Summit. The agreements span defence, maritime security, energy, cyber and critical technologies, education, mining, research and cultural cooperation, underscoring a significant expansion of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said the adoption of the JDDSC and the maritime roadmap reflected the need for the bilateral partnership to adapt to evolving geopolitical and strategic realities. "These constitute recognition that the partnership must evolve to meet changing strategic circumstances, and they reflect a commitment to advancing our defence and security partnership," Misri said.