The Confederation of Indian Industry's Building Business through Sport event, organised by the Australian Industry Group, Australia India Business Council, City of Melbourne, and the Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development, sees some of India's business leaders meet to network and share ideas around doing business through sport.

The focus on sport will be underlined by the arrival of the Queen's Baton of the Commonwealth Games which is travelling through parts of Australia with several of the delegates who are attending today's meeting, Middletons said today.

Middletons now represents both Indian and Australian businesses in dealing with each other and the regulatory regimes of each other’s country.

Head of Middletons' India group, Cameron Abbott, said: "It is not often that someone coming to a business networking meeting can bring the Queen's Baton with them and I know all attendees will be delighted to see this tangible symbol of our common history."

Abbott said the firm understands that sport is “big business” in both countries.

Abbott said: “Its not just the business end of sport, both Australians and Indians love their sport including cricket and the Commonwealth Games and many a business deal has no doubt been struck while watching their beloved side win or lose."

Middletons is a major sponsor of the Australia-India Business Council.