PRIME Minister Narendra Modi interacted with prominent Australian public figures working in diverse fields like science, Artificial Intelligence, social work and art and music and encouraged them to contribute to strengthening the India-Australia relationship.

Modi arrived in Sydney on Monday for the third and final leg of his three-nation tour. The prominent public figures Modi met included Nobel laureate Brian Paul Schmidt, ‘Toilet warrior’ Mark Balla, artist Danielle Mate, rockstar Guy Sebastian and celebrity chef and restaurateur Sarah Todd. Other influencers included Professor Toby Walsh, chief scientist, Artificial Intelligence Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney and Salvatore Babones, sociologist, researcher and author.

“Furthering - cultural & people to people ties. PM @narendramodi interacted with prominent public figures of Australia, working in diverse fields of science, artificial intelligence, humanities, social work, gastronomy, art and music,” the Ministry of External Affairs tweeted. “Congratulated them on their achievements and encouraged them to contribute to strengthening the India-Australia relationship,” it said.