‘Sports is strong link in India-Australia relations’: PM Modi launches Sports Collaboration Roadmap at MCG

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese on Friday launched the IndiaAustralia Sports Collaboration Roadmap during a visit to the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground MCG strengthening cooperation between the two nations in sports technology training and infrastructure developmentThe launch event was attended by Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan and several Australian sporting personalities including Steve Waugh and Lisa Sthalekar The initiative highlights the growing importance of sporting partnerships cultural connections and peopletopeople exchanges as part of the IndiaAustralia Comprehensive Strategic PartnershipThe roadmap aims to create new opportunities in athlete development coaching sports science innovation and institutional collaboration between the two countriesPM Modi highlights cricketrsquos role in IndiaAustralia tiesSharing his experience after visiting the MCG Prime Minister Modi posted on X ldquoWonderful to visit the Melbourne Cricket Ground with PM Albanese The passion for sport continues to bring the people of India and Australia closerrdquoWonderful to visit the Melbourne Cricket Ground with PM Albanese The passion for sport continues to bring the people of India and Australia closerAlboMP httpstco4agouUbx69mdash Narendra Modi narendramodi July 10 2026Addressing the gathering PM Modi said the Melbourne Cricket Ground holds special significance for Indians because of the historic cricket rivalry and shared sporting culture between the two countriesldquoAfter coming to the Melbourne Cricket Ground any Indian naturally thinks of two things the thrill of an IndiaAustralia cricket match and the feeling that in both our countries cricket is not just a game but a shared passion But today there is no pressure here today there is only happiness and the excitement of our shared friendshiprdquo he saidSports becoming key pillar of bilateral relationsWhile launching the roadmap alongside Albanese PM Modi said sports had emerged as an important connection between India and Australia and the partnership would expand beyond cricketldquoSports is a strong link in the relations between India and Australia Today it gives me great joy to launch the IndiaAustralia Sports Collaboration Roadmap alongside Prime Minister Albanese Under this we will strengthen cooperation not only in cricket but also in other sportsrdquoThe Prime Minister said both nations would focus on areas beyond sporting competitions including training methods research and technological developmentWe will move forward together in sports training sports science and technology Along with onfield we will also strengthen our offfield partnership In India we have not only democratised technology but also sportsrdquo he saidIndia eyes greater sporting opportunities through global eventsHighlighting Indiarsquos efforts to provide wider access to sports PM Modi spoke about the impact of the Khelo India programme in identifying and supporting emerging talentThrough the Khelo India Programme people from small towns villages and ordinary families are getting a platform to dream big Today sporting talent in India is not limited to a few big cities It is emerging from every corner and every background of the countryrdquoHe added that future international events would create more opportunities for collaboration between India and AustraliaIn 2030 India is going to host the Commonwealth Games We are also making efforts to host the 2036 Olympics in India Brisbane will host the Olympics in 2032 To host these global events sports infrastructure will be prepared on a mega scale This means that in the coming years we will get numerous new opportunities to learn from each other and work togetherrdquoRoadmap to boost sports science and infrastructure collaborationThe visit to the MCG was part of Prime Minister Modirsquos threeday visit to Australia and reflected efforts by both countries to expand cooperation beyond traditional areas such as trade and defenceThe newly launched IndiaAustralia Sports Collaboration Roadmap is expected to strengthen partnerships in athlete training coaching programmes sports science technology infrastructure development and knowledge exchange