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Australian opposition leader says his nation noted excitement during PM Modi's visit

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ANI Canberra
Last Updated : Nov 18 2014 | 9:15 AM IST

Australia's Leader of Opposition Bill Shorten on Tuesday told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the whole nation has noticed the excitement over his visit.

This message was conveyed during their meeting in the Australian capital Canberra this morning.

"The whole of Australia has noticed the excitement of your visit - Bill Shorten, Leader of Opposition in Australia," Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin tweeted.

Prime Minister Modi kick-started his day's engagements with a visit to the War Memorial here, where he paid his tributes to those Australians who had died at war while serving their country.

He was also accompanied by his Australian counterpart Tony Abbott, where he laid a wreath in the Hall of Memory . Prime Minister Modi observed few minutes of silence at the memorial as a mark of respect and signed the visitor's book here before he left.

Later, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was given a warm ceremonial reception here at the forecourt of the Australian Parliament and offered a gun salute.

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He also inspected a guard of honour during his visit here.

During his opening statement at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Tony Abbott, Prime Minister Modi said that both nations were seeking early closure to a civil nuclear agreement that will give Australia a chance to participate in one of the world's most safe and secure nuclear energy programmes. Besides, the two nations also decided to sign five pacts on several areas.

While addressing the joint session of the Australian Parliament, he placed Australia at the centre of India's vision of a prosperous and regional order, at the juncture of the Indian and Pacific oceans, at a time when security and maritime navigation were valued more highly than ever before.

After addressing the Australian Parliament here, Prime Minister Modi left for Melbourne where he is scheduled to visit the 161-year-old Melbourne Cricket Ground before departing for Fiji for the third leg of his three-nation, 10-day trip.

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First Published: Nov 18 2014 | 8:59 AM IST

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