Narendra Modi will go out to bat for India at MCG

NEW DELHI: Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott will host a reception for his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi at the iconic 161-year-old Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on November 18, after the G-20 summit in Brisbane concludes.

The MCG, which can accommodate over a lakh people, however, will only host a fraction of that number as just 400-500 dignitaries including prominent Australian politicians, Indians and cricket stars have been invited to this reception.

“Cricket is a shared passion of Australia and India. I thank PM @ TonyAbbottMHR for hosting me at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground,” said Modi on Twitter.

It is rare for foreign leaders to be hosted at the stadium where Michael Jackson, Rolling Stones and Madonna have performed, and where Pope John Paul II held a mass in 1986.

Modi is expected to have an action packed schedule and has already received a number of requests from G-20 leaders for bilateral talks on the sidelines of the summit that’s being held on November15-16.Syed Akbaruddin, spokesperson of the ministry of external affairs, said several requests were being considered and the outcome would depend on availability and matching of schedules.

He added that the focus would be to meet as many leaders as possible, especially those the PM hasn’t met in the past. Modi’s visit will be the first bilateral visit to Australia by an Indian PM in 28 years.

A reception is also being hosted for Modi at Sydney Olympic Park on November 17, an event expected to draw over 15,000 guests including Indians settled in Australia. Modi will also address the Australian Parliament in Canberra.