Glad to be in Sydney, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday appreciated the warm welcome given to him in Sydney, where traditional Australian artists performed in his honour.

"Amazing welcome in Sydney. Glad to be here," he tweeted.

The Australian artists, who performed the traditional aboriginal dance to welcome Prime Minister Modi in Sydney, also gifted a boomerang to him.

The Prime Minister earlier in the day said that he was looking forward to the event in Sydney.

"Thank you Brisbane. Leaving for Sydney. Looking forward to the Indian community programme," he tweeted.

Prime Minister Modi, who will attend a community reception at the Allphones Arena later in the day, was received at the airport on his arrival by President of Legislative Council of New South Wales Ton Harwil.

More than 16,000 members of the Indian diaspora will pack Allphones Arena at Olympic Park in Sydney to welcome Prime Minister Modi. Big screens have been installed outside the venue, and there is a festive atmosphere prevalent for the people wanting to attend or watch the event.

The volunteers, who have organized the event at Olympic Park, have promised a reception more grand than the one Prime Minister Modi received at the famous Madison Square Garden in New York during his U.S. visit.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi invited Australian businessmen to participate in India's ambitious plans for smart cities to cater its growing urban population.

The Prime Minister will reach Australian capital Canberra this evening, where he is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with his Australian counterpart Tony Abbot and address a joint session of the Australian Parliament on Tuesday.