Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott arrived in Mumbai this morning on a two-day India visit during which the two countries would look at ways to deepen strategic ties and strengthen two-way trade and commerce.

Abbott called on Maharashtra Governor C. Vidyasagar Rao at the Raj Bhavan this morning. At the Hotel Taj Mahal Palace, he paid homage to the victims of the Mumbai 26/11 terror attacks and laid a wreath at the memorial there.

Mr. Abbott launched the 'New Colombo Plan' at the Mumbai University. Appreciating the University of Mumbai, Mr. Abbott said that there are many few institutions of learning any where in the world which have done as much to spread this light of knowledge as university of Mumbai.

Abbot also said that there are some half-a-million people of Indian background living now in Australia.

He however, regretted the fact that there are just a few Australian students studying in India.

He assured that the New Colombo Plan will help in this area.

The New Colombo Plan is a concept of collective inter-governmental efforts to strengthen the economic and social development of member countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

Later in the day, the visiting dignitary is scheduled to attend a felicitation of young Indian cricketers by Australians legends like Adam Gilchrist and Brett Lee, in the presence of Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar.

In the afternoon, he is scheduled to meet top Indian business leaders and will interact with a select group of CEOs in the city.

He is scheduled to meet President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj in New Delhi tomorrow.