Tony Abbott sends a cricket bat with a friendship message to the Indian PM

Former Prime Minister of Australia Tony Abbot enjoyed a close bond with Indian PM: Narendra Modi. Both Prime Ministers worked closely together on strengthening ties between India and Australia during Abbot’s tenure as the PM of his country. Tony Abbot has sent a special gift to Modi but wants him to receive it personally.

Manpreet, the messenger

The gift is a special MS Dhoni series bat with a hand-written friendship message by Tony. It has been sent through a Sydney-based Indian: Manpreet Singh. These days he is waiting outside the Parliament in a quest to seek an appointment with the PM as he wishes to hand over the gift to him personally, as also instructed by Tony. Given the passion with which both countries follow cricket, a bat is a fitting gift sent by Tony. During Modi’s visit to Australia in 2014, Tony took Modi for a short tour of the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

“I was the brand ambassador for ‘Festival of India in Australia’ event when the Indian PM visited Australia. I have known the Australian PM for long and, because cricket is loved equally in both the countries, he sent this bat as a gift for Mr. Modi through me,” Manpreet told India Today.

Abbott writes on the bat: “To Narendra, it was an honor to work closely with you to strengthen the historic ties between our countries. I will always cherish our friendship.”

Manpreet not willing to budge

Singh said that he hasn’t booked a flight back to Sydney yet as he will not depart without meeting the PM personally. He, along with his cousin, travel to Vijay Chowk every day in hopes of meeting the Mr. Modi. Besides the bat, Singh also has a picture of Abbott signing the bat along with a letter from Australian politician Kevin Conolly which address PM Modi saying that “he sincerely hopes” that Manpreet will be able to hand over the gift to him “in person”.

At the moment, though, the PM is busy in his hectic schedule. Manpreet will hold vigil at Vijay Chowk until he gets an opportunity to meet the PM and seek “blessings” from the 66-year old.