Melbourne, July 9 -- Chief Executive of the Business Council of Australia, Bran Black, on Thursday (local time) highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's longstanding emphasis on strengthening ties with Australia, recalling an anecdote that underscored the Indian leader's early interest in deepening bilateral engagement.

Speaking to ANI, in response to the India-Australia CEO Forum and Economic Roadmap Business Reception in Melbourne, Black said, "When Prime Minister Modi first became Prime Minister, he was briefed on the countries that India engages with and the opportunities for India to engage further. At the end of the meeting, I'm told that he said, 'Where's Australia? What about Australia?' And that is a lovely reflection on the p...