Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to boost India-Australia relations

MELBOURNE: India's relations with Australia will get a major boost with Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting the country in November, the first by an Indian Premier in 28 years.

"I am happy to say that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Australia in November this year," Indian Consul General Manika Jain said, addressing the Independence Day gathering here today.

She said the Prime Minister's visit would take the relations between the two countries to the next level.

"With these exchanges at the highest level, new synergies will be created which will take the relations to the next level," Jain said, addressing members of the Indian community and Australian leaders at the event.

Modi is scheduled to visit Australia for the G20 Summit in Brisbane in November. Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott is also due to visit New Delhi in September.

Modi will be the second Prime Minister to visit Australia after Rajiv Gandhi in 1986, Jain said.

Speaking on the occasion, Indian-origin Tasmanian Senator Lisa Singh said Modi's visit will be another "turning point" in India-Australia relations after the 2009 trip to New Delhi by former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

The Independence Day function was also attended by former Victorian premier Ted Ballieu, state multicultural minister Matthew Guy and other prominent members of the Indian community.