OZ ex-PM performs sewa

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, November 17

Former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott, along with a delegation, on Sunday paid obeisance at the Golden Temple. Supporting a saffron turban, he also tried his hand at washing dishes and also ate langar. “I am honoured to be here. I respect and admire the Sikh faith,” he said.

Abbott emphasised that the exchange of resources and technology would help in mutual prosperity of the two nations. He said the existing PM of Australia was expected to visit India in a couple of weeks and hoped that the visit would further help in building strong relationship between the two countries, open doors for bilateral trade and investment opportunities.

“When I was the PM, I tried to do everything to develop a deep relationship between Australia and India. Our resources, food and expertise can be very valuable to India in gaining further prosperity just as this country has been and will be valuable to Australia. It was a mutual recognition and appreciation of services and credibility that helped strengthening the economic partnership between India and Australia,” he added. Golden Temple manager Jaswinder Singh Deenpur and information officer Jaswinder Singh Jassi presented him ‘siropa’ and a replica of the shrine.

Meanwhile, a delegation led by trade and industry wing activist Rajinder Singh Marwaha also met him and sought cooperation in opening avenues for the skilled youth in Australia. “We urged him that besides trading opportunities, our youth, which has skills in carpentry, welding, plumbing or have done other vocational courses should be absorbed in Australia. He assured us in positive,” Marwaha said.

Strengthening ties

Our resources, food and expertise can be very valuable to India in gaining further prosperity just as this country has been and will be valuable to Australia. Tony Abbott, australian former pm