Addressing the Indian community at a rally in one of Sydney's biggest sporting arenas today, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the Indian-origin and NRI community in Australia was the cornerstone of the bond between the two nations.
To thundering applause from a massive audience of over 20,000, the PM cited the cooking TV show 'Masterchef', Yoga, tennis, movies, and the culturally diverse Indian community as examples of the strengthening bond between the two countries.
He also announced that India will soon open a new consulate in Brisbane.
Recalling his 2014 visit soon after his first term as Prime Minister, he said he had then promised the people that they wouldn't have to wait for 28 years for an Indian Prime Minister to visit. "Here I am with you again," he said.
Praising the Indian community, PM Modi also stated that the strongest and biggest foundations of the Indo-Australian bilateral relationship are mutual trust and mutual respect which is not just limited to diplomatic relations, but because of every Indian living in Australia.
"Cricket is something which has kept us connected for ages…and now tennis and movies form other connecting bridges. There was a time when 3Cs used to define relations between India and Australia, these three were Commonwealth, Cricket and Curry. After that, it was 3Ds.. Democracy, Diaspora and Dosti. When it became 3Es, it was all about Energy, Economy and Education. But the truth is that the actual depth of the relation between India and Australia transcends these C, D, E," he said, adding that
PM Modi also cited top global economic bodies to assert that the Indian economy is steadily growing. "IMF considers India the Bright Spot of the global economy. According to the World Bank, if there's any country which is withstanding global headwinds, it's India. India has made record exports even in the most challenging times. The banking system is in trouble in many countries, but the strength of the Indian banking system is being praised everywhere," he said.
Addressing the enthused audience, he highlighted several milestones that India has achieved.
India is the fastest-growing large economy in the world, he said, adding that the country rolled out the fastest vaccination campaign during COVID. India is "number one" in the number of smartphone data consumers, fintech adoption, and milk production, he said.
Modi is “The Boss", Australian PM Anthony Albanese said during his speech at the community event, comparing PM Modi's popularity to that of legendary rockstar Bruce Springsteen.
"The last time I saw someone on this stage was Bruce Springsteen and he did not get the welcome that Prime Minister Modi has got. Prime Minister Modi is The Boss," said the Australian PM, drawing a grin from the Prime Minister and cheering and applause from the tens of thousands gathered at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney.
The event began with a cultural performance by Indian dancers and traditional welcome for PM Modi.
Speaking before PM Modi, Albanese spoke about his bilateral meeting with PM Modi scheduled after the event and also praised the Indian community in Australia.
"It will be our sixth meeting that we've had together since I was sworn in as Prime Minister one year ago today. It shows how important the relationship between Australia and India is. India will grow to be the third largest economy in the world. It's already the most populist country in the world. And it's an important neighbor in the Indian Ocean that we share. And that is why this is a relationship that we need to invest in," he said.
"Your million-strong community has contributed so much to this country. The people here tonight – your families, your communities will always be the lifeblood of the relationship that India and Australia share. And tonight, I announce that the new Centre for Australia-India Relations will be based in Parramatta. A place that itself is a testament to the vitality of the Indian-Australian experience," he added.
PM Modi’s popularity among Indians abroad was highlighted by the enthusiastic reception and reactions from the Indian-origin and NRI community in Australia. About 170 Indian-origin people took a chartered flight from Melbourne to Sydney to attend the event.
The members of the Indian Australian Diaspora Foundation (IADF), sporting tri-colour-themed turbans and waving national flags, danced their way to the flight named by the Prime Minister's supporters as "Modi Airways".
The Sydney event was organised by IADF to celebrate Australia's dynamic and diverse Indian community, "a core part of our multicultural community", the Australian government said in a statement.
PM Modi arrived in Australia from Papua New Guinea for the last leg of his tri-nation trip, which had begun with him attending the G7 Summit and Quad session in Hiroshima, Japan.