BRISBANE, Nov 16 (IANS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday said that he is very keen to involve states in India in international engagements.
"I am very keen to involve states in India in our international engagements," Modi said at a reception held here in his honour by Campbell Newman, premier of the Australian state of Queensland.
"Relations between countries can only prosper if we bring our states together," he said.
The prime minister said that there was immense potential in India's relations with Queensland.
�Lot of potential for us to work together: PM @narendramodi in Brisbane,� a tweet by the Prime Minister's Office quoted.
Modi credited the premier of Queensland for the strong partnership between India and Queensland.
Earlier, Premier Newman said that India-Queensland relations would be fast-tracked.
�Our relationship with India is going to spring forward in an unprecedented way,� he said.
�So much binds India, Queensland and Australia. Democracy and rule of law (being) among them. We share a national day (and) there's cricket,� Newman added.
�You have lots of fans in Brisbane,� Newman told Modi.
Modi earlier got a tumultuous welcome from the Indian-Australian community when he arrived at the Roma Street Parkland in Brisbane to unveil a statue of Mahatma Gandhi.
Modi attended the G20 Summit in Brisbane and held one-to-one meetings with a number of world leaders.
He will visit other Australian cities, including capital Canberra, and also address the Australian Parliament, during his stay in the country.
