Brisbane, Nov 16 (IANS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday said that Mahatma Gandhi is as relevant today as he was in his lifetime.

Speaking at a function where he unveiled a statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Roma Street Parkland here following the conclusion of the G20 summit, he said, "On October 2 (1869), a person was not born in Porbandar but an era was born."

Earlier, Modi arrived at the venue to a rousing welcome by the Indian diaspora gathered there and was greeted by the mayor of Brisbane.

"G20 meetings are over. Happy (about) beginning my bilateral visit to Australia with this programme: PM," the Prime Minister's Office tweeted ahead of his arrival at the venue.

The programme organisers said that a bridge will be named after Mahatma Gandhi in Springfield.

Modi earlier attended the G20 Summit in Brisbane and held one-to-one meetings with a number of world leaders.

He will visit other Australian cities, including capital Canberra, and also address the Australian Parliament, during his stay in the country.