Successful India to provide vast opportunity for world: Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday said a successful India will provide a vast opportunity for the world and sought closer ties with Australia.

“A successful India will be a vast opportunity and a force of good for the world. We look forward to closer partnership with friends like Australia,” Modi said at a dinner hosted by Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

“India is experiencing urbanisation at a rapid pace. Studies suggest that by 2031, 11 percent of the world's urban population might be in Indian cities,” Modi said.

He added that India already has over 50 cities with a population of over one million.

“Urbanisation can be an enormous opportunity,” Modi said.

He spoke of his plans to build 100 smart cities, revive heritage cities, build modern solid waste management and waste water treatment systems in 500 cities, and clean up the country's rivers.

“This is part of our larger vision of a sustainable future for our country, and transforming the quality of life of our people in cities and villages alike,” the prime minister said.

Modi said he wanted to build a future in which every Indian can say that his life has improved and his environment has become better.

“I am confident that we will achieve it with the support of the people of India,” Modi stated.

The event was graced by Indian cricket legends Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev and V.V.S. Laxman as also former Australian captain Alan Border.

Modi had earlier attended the G20 Summit in Brisbane Nov 15-16, addressed a massive gathering of the Indian diaspora at Sydney Monday and addressed the Australian parliament in Canberra Tuesday, before coming to Melbourne.

He flies to Fiji Tuesday night on the last leg of his 10-day three-nation tour. - IANS