PM Modi tweets an anecdote shared by Australian Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has shared an anecdote that was narrated to him by Australian trade minister Don Farrell about how one of his teachers had migrated from Goa, and said that it underlines the rich cultural connect between India and Australia.

Farrell had accompanied Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese who was in India last week on an official visit. In a series of tweets, Modi said, "During the lunch in honour of my friend PM Albanese, the Australian Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell shared something interesting... he was taught by one Mrs. Ebert in Grade 1 who left a deep impact on his life and credits her for his educational grounding."

"Mrs. Ebert, her husband and her daughter Leonie migrated from Goa in India to Adelaide in the 1950s and started teaching at a school in Adelaide, Australia," PM Modi said.

Ebert's daughter Leonie went on to be the president of the South Australian Institute of Teachers, he said. "I was happy to hear this anecdote, which underlines the rich cultural connect between India and Australia. It is equally heartening to hear when someone refers to his or her teacher fondly," the Prime Minister added.

India, Australia to finalise Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement
India and Australia are working towards a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Friday emphasising that people-to-people connect have been the foundation of ties between the two countries, ANI reported.

The Australian PM further said that he is hopeful that the agreement will be finalised this year.

Addressing a joint press conference with PM Modi after bilateral level talks were held at Hyderabad House earlier this morning Albanese said that Australia's relationship with India is multifaceted.

Albanese said that high-level contact between the two countries has further strengthened cooperation across many sectors.

"I look forward to hosting PM Modi in Australia for the Quad Leaders summit in May and then returning to India in September for the G20 Leaders summit. The frequent high-level content between Australia and India has further strengthened cooperation across a range of areas including trade & investment, climate and energy, defence and security, and between the people of our two countries."

With inputs from agencies